During an interview with the BBC, Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, declared that Syria is no longer a threat to neighboring countries or the West. He urged for sanctions against Syria to be lifted, asserting that HTS does not engage in civilian attacks and should be removed from the list of terrorist organizations. Al-Sharaa emphasized Syria’s different socio-cultural landscape compared to Afghanistan, advocating for women’s education and the need for a distinct political path for Syria’s future.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria and commander of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), recently asserted that Syria poses no threat to its neighbors or the Western world. In a comprehensive interview with the BBC conducted in Damascus, he emphasized the need to lift sanctions on Syria, stating that the nation is weary from ongoing conflict. Al-Sharaa, who played a crucial role in the recent coalition efforts that significantly weakened Bashar al-Assad’s regime, is advocating for the re-evaluation of HTS’s designation as a terrorist organization.
In his perspective, HTS separates itself from its radical roots, having distanced itself from al-Qaeda in 2016. He claimed that his group does not attack civilian populations, insisting that they are victims of regime-perpetrated atrocities. While addressing concerns regarding the ideological direction of Syria under HTS leadership, he asserted that Syria’s cultural and social framework is markedly different from that of Afghanistan, and he voiced commitment to progressive values, including educational opportunities for women. Al-Sharaa acknowledged existing skepticism among Syrian citizens regarding his intentions but remains optimistic about the future direction of the nation.
The actions of the HTS in the ensuing months will be pivotal in establishing what political framework the newly empowered leadership intends for Syria and whether it aims to genuinely reshape its image from that of a territory defined by extremism.
The ongoing Syrian civil war has historically been characterized by a multitude of factions vying for control, with Islamist groups often at the forefront. Ahmed al-Sharaa’s HTS emerged from the remnants of al-Nusra Front, originally aligned with al-Qaeda before rebranding itself and seeking legitimacy on the international stage. The recent upheaval in the power dynamics within Syria, following significant victories against Assad’s forces, places HTS in a unique position to address criticisms of terrorism while promoting a narrative of resistance against oppression.
In conclusion, Ahmed al-Sharaa’s statements reflect a determined effort to present HTS as a moderate force seeking to stabilize and rebuild Syria post-conflict. His claims concerning the group’s lack of extremist intentions and the call for sanctions to be lifted denote a strategy aimed at gaining both local and international acceptance. The resulting actions and governance style of HTS will ultimately determine the trajectory of Syria’s political future and its acceptance within the broader global community.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
