Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army have captured significant territories in Syria, including Aleppo and Hama. HTS, founded by Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, evolved from past al-Qaida affiliations to become the leading rebel faction. The group faces designation as a terrorist organization by the US, with severe human rights implications under its control. Turkey backs these factions while attempting to maintain its own strategic interests against Kurdish forces.
The recent capture of key Syrian cities, including Aleppo and Hama, has been spearheaded by the Islamist alliance known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in conjunction with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. HTS, now the dominant rebel faction in Syria, was founded by Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, a former insurgent in Iraq who initially aligned with al-Qaida as Jabhat al-Nusra. However, in 2016, HTS severed its ties with al-Qaida and rebranded itself to prioritize the liberation of the Levant. While HTS is considered a terrorist organization by the United States due to its extreme measures against dissenters and rival factions, the Turkish-backed militias maintain a complex relationship with HTS, oscillating between collaboration and rivalry. Turkey continues to support efforts to remove President Assad from power but simultaneously seeks a buffer zone to mitigate threats from Kurdish militants.
The ongoing Syrian conflict has witnessed a multitude of factions vying for control. Among these, the Islamist alliance of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has emerged as a significant force following its inception from the remnants of al-Qaida-affiliated groups. With deep historical roots in prior insurgent movements, HTS has garnered both power and notoriety in Syria’s northwest. The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, although at times allied with HTS, has its own interests primarily directed at stabilizing the Turkish border amidst the escalating conflict between various factions, especially the Kurdish forces at odds with Turkey.
In summary, the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, alongside the Syrian National Army, has fundamentally shifted the landscape of the Syrian conflict. While HTS has established itself as a powerful actor, its controversial tactics and designation as a terrorist group accentuate the complex nature of the ongoing struggle in Syria. The interplay between these rebel factions and external supporters like Turkey will undoubtedly shape future developments in this protracted conflict.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
