Tahrir al-Sham
Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) (Arabic: هيئة تحرير الشام, romanized: Hayʼat Taḥrīr aš-Šām[39], lit. 'Organization for the Liberation of the Levant or Levant Liberation Committee'),[36] commonly referred to as Tahrir al-Sham, is a Sunni Islamist[40][41] political and armed organisation involved in the Syrian Civil War. It was formed on 28 January 2017 as a merger between Jaysh al-Ahrar (an Ahrar al-Sham faction), Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS), Ansar al-Din Front, Jaysh al-Sunna, Liwa al-Haqq, Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement and.[3][42] The unification process was held under the initiative of Abu Jaber Shaykh, an Islamist commander who had been the second Emir of Ahrar al-Sham.[3]
Proclaiming the nascent organisation as "a new stage in the life of the blessed revolution", Abu Jaber urged all factions of the Syrian opposition to unite under its Islamic leadership and wage a "popular Jihad" to achieve the objectives of the Syrian revolution, which he characterised as the ouster of the Ba'athist regime and Hezbollah militants from Syrian territories, and the formation of an Islamic government.[43] After the announcement, additional groups and individuals joined. The merged group has been primarily led by Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and former Ahrar al-Sham leaders, although the High Command also has representation from other groups.[44] Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement[5] split from Tahrir al-Sham in July 2017, and the Ansar al-Din Front in 2018.[45]
Formation of HTS was followed by a string of assassinations of its supporters. In response, HTS launched a successful crackdown on Al-Qaeda loyalists, which cemented its power in Idlib. HTS has since been pursuing a "Syrianization" programme; focused on establishing a stable civilian administration that provides services, connects to humanitarian organizations; in addition to maintaining law and order.[42] Tahrir al-Sham's strategy is based on expanding its territorial control in Syria, establishing governance and mobilising popular support. In 2017, HTS permitted Turkish troops to patrol North-West Syria as part of a ceasefire brokered through Astana negotiations. Its policies has brought it into conflict with Hurras al-Deen, Al-Qaeda's Syrian wing.[46] HTS had an estimated 6,000-15,000 members in 2022.[16]
Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham gives allegiance to the Syrian Salvation Government, which is an alternative government of the Syrian opposition in Idlib Governorate.[47][48] While the organisation officially adheres to the Salafi school; the High Council of Fatwa of the Syrian Salvation Government - to which it is religiously beholden - consists of ulema from Ash'arite and Sufi traditions as well. In its legal system and educational curriculum, HTS implements the Shafi'ite thought and teaches the importance of the four classical Sunni madhahib (schools of law) in Islamic jurisprudence.[49] As of 2021, HTS is considered as the most powerful military faction within the Syrian opposition.[50]
History
Part of a series on |
Jihadism |
---|
![]() |
Background
Al-Nusra/JFS co-operated with Ahrar al-Sham for much of 2015–16. Leading Ahrar al-Sham cleric Abu Jaber had long criticized al-Nusra's affiliation to al-Qaeda as setting back the cause of the rebels, and had also been the focus of attempts to unify Islamist rebel elements.[51][3][52] He led a more Islamist and less nationalist faction within Ahrar al-Sham, Jaysh al-Ahrar, which supported merger of Ahrar al-Sham with JFS. There were merger talks in late 2016, but these broke down. In early 2017 it clashed with rival Islamist groups in Idlib, in particular Ahrar al-Sham, but Jaish al-Ahrar detached itself from Ahrar al-Sham to merge with JFS in a new body.[53]
Formation
During its foundation declaration, Emir Abu Jaber Shaykh described the Levant Liberation Committee as "an independent entity" free from all the previous relations and allegiances by virtue of the unfication.[54]
According to Syria analyst Charles Lister, Ahrar al-Sham lost some 800–1,000 defectors to HTS, but gained at least 6,000-8,000 more from the merger into its ranks of Suqor al-Sham, Jaish al-Mujahideen, Fastaqim Union and the western Aleppo units of the Levant Front, and the Idlib-based units of Jaysh al-Islam. JFS meanwhile lost several hundred fighters to Ahrar al-Sham, but gained 3,000-5,000 fighters from its merger with Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki, Liwa al-Haq, Jaish al-Sunna, and Jabhat Ansar al-Din into HTS.[53] Nour al-Din al-Zenki had at one time been supported by the US.[55]
Consolidation of power (January-August 2017)
January
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Hayat_Tahrir_al-Sham_fighters_in_Mushairfa%2C_northeastern_Hama.png/250px-Hayat_Tahrir_al-Sham_fighters_in_Mushairfa%2C_northeastern_Hama.png)
Throughout January fierce fighting had broken out between the JFS and Al-Qaeda loyalists of Al-Nusra Front, before the JFS-Ahrar al-Sham merger to form Tahrir al-Sham (Syrian Liberation Committe) in January 28. Soon after the merger, Emir Abu Jaber Shaykh announced a ceasefire deal to unite all opposition militia factions into a central command. Some Turkish-backed FSA supporters pejoritavely named the newly formed organization "Hetish". The formation of HTS was described as a "reshaping of revolutionary dynamics" that could change the balance of power in the Syrian civil war and also adversely affect the future prospects of Al-Qaeda in northern Syria.[56]
On 30 January, it was reported by Asharq al-Awsat that there were around 31,000 fighters in Tahrir al-Sham. Fighters of Jaysh al-Ahrar, a breakway faction of Ahrar al-Sham militia, joined Tahrir al-Sham and increased its numbers.[12]
February
On 3 February, a US airstrike struck a Tahrir al-Sham headquarters in Sarmin, killing 12 members of HTS and Jund al-Aqsa. 10 of the killed militants were HTS members.[57][58]
Civilians in the rebel regions that HTS controls have resisted it. On 3 February, hundreds of Syrians demonstrated under the slogan "There is no place for al-Qaeda in Syria" in the towns of Atarib, Azaz, Maarat al-Nu'man to protest against HTS. In response, supporters of HTS organized counter-protests in al-Dana, Idlib, Atarib, and Khan Shaykhun.[59] In Idlib pro- Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham protests were held waving pictures of its emir Abu Jaber on 3 February 2017.[60]
On 4 February 2017, a US airstrike killed former al-Qaeda commander Abu Hani al-Masri, who was a part of Ahrar al-Sham at the time of his death. It was reported that he was about to defect to Tahrir al-Sham before his death.[58] Around 8 February, Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi confirmed that 2 senior Jabhat Fateh al-Sham leaders loyal to al-Qaeda, including former al-Nusra deputy leader Sami al-Oraydi, left Tahrir al-Sham after its formation.[61]
A speech was released by Abu Jaber on 9 February.[62] He emphasized his group being an "independent entity" and praised his "brothers" in the "Syrian Jihad" for their "heroic" resistance against Ba'athist forces, Hezbollah and Russians. The statement urged all opposition factions to join forces with HTS and warned Syrian Sunnis; asserting that Iran will "enslave the region" if the rebels lose the war.[1]
On 12 February, the Bunyan al-Marsous Operations Room, of which Tahrir al-Sham was a member, launched an offensive against the Syrian Army in Daraa's Manshiyah district. Tahrir al-Sham forces reportedly began the attack with 2 suicide bombers and car bombs.[63]
On 13 February, clashes erupted between the previously allied Tahrir al-Sham and Jund al-Aqsa, also called Liwa al-Aqsa, in northern Hama and southern Idlib.[64][65]
On 15 February, Ahrar al-Sham published an infographic on its recent defections, claiming that only 955 fighters had defected to Tahrir al-Sham.[61] On 22 February, the Combating Terrorism Center reported that Jabhat Fateh al-Sham had formed the Tahrir al-Sham group due to its fear of being isolated, and to counter Ahrar al-Sham's recent expansion during the clashes in the Idlib Province.[61]
On 22 February, the last of Liwa al-Asqa's 2,100 militants left their final positions in Khan Shaykhun, with unconfirmed reports in pro-government media that they were to join ISIL in the Ar-Raqqah Province after a negotiated withdrawal deal with Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkistan Islamic Party.[66] Afterward, Tahrir al-Sham declared terminating Liwa al-Aqsa, and promised to watch for any remaining cells.[67]
On 26 February, a US airstrike in Al-Mastoumeh, Idlib Province, killed Abu Khayr al-Masri, who was the deputy leader of al-Qaeda.[68][69] The airstrike also killed another Tahrir al-Sham militant.[70][71] Abu Khayr's death left HTS freer to move away from al-Qaeda's any remaining influence.[53]
March
In early March 2017, local residents in the Idlib Province who supported FSA factions accused Tahrir al-Sham of doing more harm than good, saying that all they've done is "kidnap people, set up checkpoints, and terrorize residents."[72]
On 16 March, a US airstrike struck the village of al-Jinah, just southwest of Atarib, killing at least 29 and possibly over 50 civilians; the US claimed the people targeted in the strike were "al-Qaeda militants" but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), local residents and local officials have said that the building struck was a mosque filled with worshipers, which was subsequently confirmed by Bellingcat.[73][74][75]
On the morning of 21 March, according to pro-government media, a US drone strike in Darkush, Idlib Province, killed Abu Islam al-Masri, described as an Egyptian high-ranking HTS commander, and Abu al-'Abbas al-Darir, described as an Egyptian HTS commander;[76] however, the Institute for the Study of War reported that the commander killed was Sheikh Abu al-Abbas al-Suri.[77]
On 24 March, two flatbed trucks carrying flour and belonging to an IHH-affiliated Turkish relief organization were stopped at a HTS checkpoint at the entrance to Sarmada. HTS then seized the trucks and the flour, which was intended for a bakery in Saraqib. The seizure caused 2,000 families in the area to be cut off from a free supply of bread.[78]
April
In April 2017, Jaysh al-Islam attacked HTS and expelled it from the territories under its control in Eastern Ghouta.[79]
On 3 May, HTS arrested Suhail Muhammad Hamoud, "Abu TOW", a former FSA fighter, in a house raid in Idlib. Earlier, al-Hamoud had published a photograph of him smoking in front of a HTS billboard that prohibited smoking.[80]
May
According to reports from pro-government Al-Masdar news, on 20 May, the main faction of the Abu Amara Battalions joined Tahrir al-Sham, which "now boasts a fighting force of some 50,000 militants" according to one pro-government media source.[81] However, the covert operations unit of the Abu Amara Battalions based in Aleppo remained independent.[82]
On 27 May, according to pro-regime Al-Mayadeen, Tahrir al-Sham and Saraya Ahl al-Sham fought together against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in the western Qalamoun Mountains near Arsal, Lebanon–Syria border. 33 fighters were killed from both sides.[83]
On 29 May, Tahrir al-Sham arrested opposition activist and FSA commander Abdul Baset al-Sarout after accusing him of participating in an anti-HTS protest in Maarat al-Nu'man.[84]
June
On 2 June 2017, defectors from the Northern Brigade's Commandos of Islam Brigade reportedly joined Tahrir al-Sham, although Captain Kuja, leader of the unit, stated that he is still part of the Northern Brigade.[85][86]
July
During 18–23 July, HTS launched a series of attacks on Ahrar al-Sham positions, which were quickly abandoned.[53] On 20 July 2017, the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement led by Sheikh Tawfiq Shahabuddin announced its withdrawal from Tahrir al-Sham amid widespread conflict between HTS and Ahrar al-Sham, and became an independent Islamist group.[5] On 23 July 2017, Tahrir al-Sham expelled the remnants of Ahrar al-Sham from Idlib, capturing the entire city[87] as well as 60% of the Idlib Governorate.[88] HTS was now the dominant armed group in opposition-held NW Syria.[53]
August
On 18 August 2017, Tahrir al-Sham captured 8 rebel fighters from the town of Madaya after it accused them of wanting to return to Madaya during a ceasefire agreement.[89]
Attacks (early 2017)
Syrian intelligence commander Hassan Daaboul was among the 40 assassinated by Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham, in twin bomb attacks at complexes of the Ba'athist secret police in Homs.[90] The explosion killed Ibrahim Darwish, a Brigadier General and the state security branch's chief.[91] Abu Yusuf al-Muhajir, a Tahrir al-Sham military spokesman was interviewed by Human Voice on the bombings.[92] Twenty-six names were released.[93] HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani mentioned the Homs attack, stating that it was a message for the "defeatist politicians" to "step aside."[94] It has been disputed that the raid resulted in the death of Ibrahim Darwish.[95]
On 11 March 2017, Tahrir al-Sham carried out a twin bombing attack in the Bab al-Saghir area of Damascus's Old City, killing 76 and wounding 120. The death toll included 43 Iraqi pilgrims, whom HTS claimed were "Iranian militias" supporting Assad regime's dictatorship.[96] The attacks were at a shrine frequented by Shi'ite pilgrims and militiamen.[97] In a statement released the following day, Tahrir al-Sham stated that the attacks targeted Iran-backed militants fight on behalf of Bashar al-Assad and condemned Khomeinist militants for ""killing and displacing" Syrians.[98]
Beginning of decline, leadership passes from Abu Jaber (late 2017)
From September to November 2017, there were a series of assassinations of HTS leaders, in particular foreign clerics associated with the most hardline elements, such as Abu Talha al-Ordini, Abu Abdulrahman al-Mohajer, Abu Sulaiman al-Maghribi, Abu Yahya al-Tunisi, Suraqa al-Maki and Abu Mohammad al-Sharii, as well as some local military leaders, including Abu Elias al-Baniasi, Mustafa al-Zahri, Saied Nasrallah and Hassan Bakour. There was speculation that the assassinations were carried out either by pro-Turkish perpetrators, given the hostility between Turkey and HTS in Idlib, or by supporters[who?] of Jolani's attempt to turn the organization away from hardline Salafi-jihadi positions. There were also high-profile defections from HTS in the same period, including Abdullah al-Muhaysini and Muslah al-Alyani.[99] In December, HTS arrested several prominent jihadi activists, former members of al-Nusra who remained loyal to al-Qaeda and rejected HTS's turn away from Salafi-jihadist positions. The move was interpreted as an attempt to re-establish as a more pragmatic, pan-Sunni group, with a civilian structure. Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri denounced this turn.[100][101]
HTS announced Abu Jaber's resignation as the group's leader on 1 October 2017. He was succeeded by Nusra Front founder Abu-Muhammad al-Julani, who had already been the de facto military commander.[102][103] On 1 October 2017, the ibn Taymiyyah Battalions based in the town of Darat Izza defected from Tahrir al-Sham.[104] In October 2017, Russia claimed to have injured Abu Mohammed al-Joulani in an air raid; HTS denied the claim.[105][103] In November 2017, pro-regime Al-Mayadeen reported violent clashes between the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement and Tahrir al-Sham in northern Idlib and western Aleppo, mainly in the area between Atme and Khan al-Asal.[106] HTS established the Syrian Salvation Government in Idlib, as a rival to the Syrian Interim Government recognized by other rebels.[79]
In early 2018, there were reports that HTS had been significantly weakened, and now had "a small presence in Eastern Ghouta and declining influence in Idlib, northern Hama, and western Aleppo provinces", with just 250 men in Eastern Ghouta[79] and a total of 12,000 fighters.[53]
In February 2018, Tahrir al-Sham was accused of killing Fayez al-Madani, an opposition delegate tasked with negotiations with the government over electricity delivery in the northern Homs Governorate, in the city of al-Rastan. Hundreds of people, including fighters of the Men of God Brigade, part of the Free Syrian Army's National Liberation Movement group,[31][32][107] proceeded to demonstrate against HTS in the city on 13 February. In response, HTS withdrew from Rastan and handed over its headquarters in the city to the Men of God Brigade.[108] Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda loyalists formed the anti-HTS Guardians of Religion Organization (Hurras al-Din) in February 2018, establishing it as the successor group of Al-Nusra Front.[109]
HTS was left excluded of the 24 February ceasefire agreement on Eastern Ghouta. In late February, a group of armed factions, including Failaq al-Rahman and Jaysh al-Islam, wrote to the UN declaring they were ready to "evacuate" remaining HTS fighters from Eastern Ghouta within 15 days.[79] At the same time in Idlib Governorate, Ahrar al-Sham, Nour al-Din al-Zinki and Soqour al-Sham entered into conflict with HTS, taking significant territory.[79]
During late 2017 and early 2018, it co-operated with Turkey in Idlib, leading to deepening tensions between the more pragmatic leadership and more hardline (especially foreign fighters) elements hostile to working with Turkey. Some of the latter split in February 2018 to form Huras al-Din. The HTS leadership also cracked down on remaining ISIS splinter cells active in Idlib. By August, when HTS entered into (unsuccessful) negotiations with Russia and Turkey, HTS was estimated to have around 3,000–4,000 foreign fighters, including non-Syrian Arabs, out of a total of 16,000 HTS fighters. On 31 August, Turkey declared HTS a terrorist organization.[51]
2019
Revival and victory in Idlib
In January 2019, HTS was able to seize dozens of villages from rivals, and afterwards, a deal was reached in which the civil administration was to be led by HTS in the whole rebel-held Idlib Governorate.[110]
In the wake of the 5th Idlib inter-rebel conflict, HTS gained control of nearly the entire Idlib pocket, after defeating the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation. Following their victory, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham would immediately violate the ceasefire treaty brokered by Turkey and Russia by placing combat units in the demilitarized zone along the Idlib-Syrian Government border, and attack SAA encampments near the area. In response to these attacks, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad increased the number of troops garrisoned near Idlib, which some have argued is an impending renewed offensive in the region, following the Northwestern Syria Campaign, where pro-government forces retook the formerly rebel-controlled Abu al-Duhur Military Airbase that was captured by the FSA and Army of Conquest in 2015. In 2019, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Defense Michael Mulroy stated that "Idlib is essentially the largest collection of al Qaeda affiliates in the world." [111][112][113][114] On July 10–11, 57 pro-government fighters were killed when Tahrir al-Sham militants attacked Syrian positions near the fortified village of Hamamiyat. 44 militants were also killed.[115][116]
HTS successfully defended Idlib from 2019-2020 government offensives. During this period, HTS cemented its security partnership with the Turkish military against the Assad regime.[117]
2020–2022
On 1 March 2021 it was reported that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham intensified its campaign against al-Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din in Idlib.[118] Since 2021, HTS has started implementing various reconstruction projects in areas under its control, with a focus on establishing civil institutions in opposition-held territories. These included the Bab al-Hawa Industrial City project and re-opening of al-Ghazawiya crossing point to connect with the Syrian Interim Government held territories.[119]
After achieving stability in Idlib in 2021, HTS launched the policy of repatriating confiscated properties of minorities in North-West Syria. These also included the re-building of destroyed churches in Idlib. HTS commanders and SSG officials have since initiated regular meetings to engage with priests and representatives the Christian community in Idlib.[120][121]
The Washington Post reported in January 2022 that the group was "trying to convince Syrians and the world that it is no longer as radical and repressive as it once was", voicing rhetoric about combating extremism, and shifting its focus to providing services to the refugees and residents of Idlib province through the Salvation Government.[122] In 7 January, Abu Muhammad al-Joulani announced the inauguration of the Aleppo-Bab al-Hawa International Road, presenting the event as part of "a comprehensive plan.. to achieve development and progress for the region".[123]
In August 2022, HTS ideologue Abu Maria al-Qahtani issued a statement demanding the dissolution of Al-Qaeda and urged all AQ branches to cut ties from the organization.[124] In 2022, HTS took a significant amount of territory and several key settlements during the October 2022 Aleppo clashes.
2023
In 2023, it was reported that Western hostilities towards HTS have decreased, yet still marked by mutual rivalry due to conflict with American interests in the region.[18]
In a speech before the revolutionary conference of Syrian Salvation Government in May 2023, Joulani announced intentions to transform the strategic map of the conflict. Stating that Tahrir al-Sham has achieved remarkable military preparation, Joulani asserted that "Aleppo is the gate to Damascus and it will be under focus for one or two years."[125] In May 2023, HTS and SDF announced separate proposals to host millions of Syrian refugees stranded across the neighboring countries, following Arab League's reinstatement of the Assad government.[126]
In June 2023, Tahrir al-Sham and Syrian Democratic Forces initiated formal diplomatic talks; concluding an agreement to initiate trade of fuel supplies between Rojava and Idlib. The meetings had been ongoing in the backdrop of growing tensions between Turkey and SDF, and SDF's intention to deploy HTS as a check on the growing Turkish influence in northern Syria. For their part, HTS proposed joint counter-terrorism efforts alongside SDF. Apart from economic co-operation, the talks also involved negotiations on political arrangements, such as prospects for a joint HTS-SDF civil administration in the event of potential expulsion of SNA forces from North-West Syria.[127]
Ideology and governance
Abu Jaber Shaykh, a major scholarly leader and chief of Shura Council of Tahrir al-Sham, was arrested several times by the Ba'athist regime, which accused him of holding Salafi-jihadist beliefs. He was imprisoned at the Sednaya Prison in 2005 and released among several jihadist prisoners in 2011 who would form several Salafist rebel groups during the Syrian Civil War.[1] Abu Jaber has also professed a belief in "Popular Jihad", a bottom-to-top approach in which jihadists would win the hearts and minds of the people, before setting out to establish Islamic governance, after receiving enough popular support, which is notably the opposite of ISIL's "elite Jihad" top-to-bottom approach by a vanguard.[128] Ayman al-Tamimi of the CTC claimed in February 2017 that despite public statements by Tahrir al-Sham's leaders and partisans, the group at the time was mostly an al-Qaeda-aligned group.[61]
On 18 June 2019, HTS released a statement offering condolences to Egypt's former President Muhammad Morsi upon his death in Egyptian custody.[129] In an interview given to the PBS Frontline documentarian Martin Smith, Abu Muhammad al-Joulani stated regarding the religious doctrines and political goals of Tahrir al-Sham:
"to limit the description of the HTS to only being a Salafist or jihadist, I believe, needs a long discussion. And I don’t want to comment on that now, because it would take a lot of research and study. We are trying today to talk about Islam in its real concept, the Islam that seeks to spread justice and aspires for building and for progress, and to protect women and preserve their rights, and for education as well. So if we agree that there’s an Islamic rule in the liberated areas, we say that there are universities, by Allah’s grace, full of students, two-thirds being female students. There are more than 450,000 to 500,000 students enrolled in schools. There are fully functioning hospitals in the liberated areas, and there are people working to build towns and pave roads. Others are trying to establish an economic system for people to live securely and peacefully. And there’s a judicial system that seeks to give people back their rights and not only to punish the wrongdoers.."[130]
Governance
Educational curricula of Tahrir al-Sham teaches the Shafi'ite school, the predominant mad'hab in Syria, and emphasizes the importance of the four traditional schools of law for ensuring Muslim unity. In theology, Tahrir al-Sham officially follows the Athari school, while also allowing Ash'arite scholarship in educational institutes and co-operating with mosques run by Ash'ari Imams. As it consolidated power over the course of time, it also reduced its policy of moral policing, arguing that such duties were the role of "relevant ministries of the SSG".[131] Commenting on the changes since 2020, a female Islamist activist campaigning for women's issues stated:
"Pressure on individual behaviour fell with the creation of HTS.. Before, it would have been inconceivable to imagine that women could talk about politics like this. The pressure to wear the full veil (niqab) has also diminished... this situation is new. All the women wore the full veil after the liberation of Idlib. The current transformation exasperates religious hardliners, but more pressure cannot be exerted on society or it might get out of control."[132]
Protection of Minorities
In 2022, Tahrir al-Sham permitted the re-opening of churches in Idlib city, enabling the Christian residents to celebrate Mass. After a meeting with members of Christian clergy and civil activists, Joulani announced his policy to "protect" Christian participation in their religious rites and celebrations. He also promised restoration of properties unjustly seized from Christian citizens. Al-Qaeda aligned Hurras al-Din condemned the move, accusing the Salvation Government of changing Idlib to be "less Muslim". In response, Tahrir al-Sham leaders maintained that Sharia (Islamic law) safeguarded the rights of non-Muslim citizens to observe and teach their religious rites within their communities; arguing for the need for tolerance and peaceful relations between religious communities living in an Islamic government.[133]
Hanna Celluf, Archpriest of 1000-year old church in Quniyah and member of the Franciscan order, stated that Idlib residents have been free to practice their religious rites and expressed his pride in serving the Christians of Idlib.[134]
Public opinion
![]() | Parts of this article (those related to Public opinion) need to be updated.(January 2023) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Protests_against_the_Syrian_Salvation_Government_at_Free_Aleppo_University.png/220px-Protests_against_the_Syrian_Salvation_Government_at_Free_Aleppo_University.png)
The ECHO Research Centre at Laurentian University conducted an opinion poll on 4,858 residents in several areas of Syria between 10 July 2017 and 28 July 2017. According to the poll's results, 77% of those surveyed disagreed with the Salafist ideology Tahrir al-Sham and other Salafist groups promote in Idlib, 73% rejected HTS-affiliated local councils in Idlib, 66% thought that HTS is part of al-Qaeda in Syria, and 63% claimed that the dominance of HTS in Idlib could lead to a "second Tora Bora". Of those who participated in the poll, nearly all of them (close to 100%) considered HTS to be contrary to the goals of the Syrian opposition, although they were split in its extent. 51% of them considered HTS to be contrary to the opposition since its inception, 42% considered HTS to be previously consistent with the opposition, but is no longer so, and 7% considered HTS to be a counter-revolutionary organization.[135]
Structure
Member groups
The groups in italic are defectors from Ahrar al-Sham which either left to join Jabhat Fateh al-Sham in the last few days of its existence, or joined its successor group Tahrir al-Sham.
- Jabhat Fateh al-Sham
- Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar[136]
- Green Battalion
- Syrian Islamic Jihad Union (ex-Ansar Jihad)[137]
- Khorasan group
- Suqour al-Ezz
- Imam Bukhari Jamaat[138]
- Tawhid and Jihad Battalion ("Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad")[139]
- Army of Muhammad
- Jamaat al-Murabitin[140]
- Supporters of Jihad[141]
- al-Ikhlas Brigade
- Mutah Brigade
- Ibn al-Qayyim Brigade
- al-Qaqa Islamic Brigade[142]
- Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar[136]
- Ansar al-Din Front
- Liwa al-Haqq[3]
- Jaysh al-Sunna (Idlib and Aleppo)[3]
- Mountain Lions Battalion[143]
- Knights of the Caliphate Battalion[144]
- Martyrs of Islam Front[145]
- Tawhid Battalion[146]
- Martyr Ibrahim Qabbani Battalion[147]
- Katibat Bayt al-Maqdis[148]
- Ansar al-Sham[149]
- Katibat al-Shahid Abu Usid.[150]
- Katibat Ashbal al-Sunnah[151]
- Kata'ib al-Sayf al-Umri[152]
- Jabhat al-Sadiqin[153]
- Liwa Ahl al-Sham[154]
- Lightning Battalion[155]
- Katibat al-Siddiq[156]
- Abu Talhah al-Ansari Battalion[157]
- 1st Regiment (Idlib)[158]
- Special Forces Brigade[159]
- Movement of Mujahideen of the Sunnis of Iran[161]
- Abu Amara Battalions (main unit)[82][81]
- Hani al-Nasr Brigade[162]
- Ajnad al-Sham (left in June 2017 to join Ahrar al-Sham, rejoined HTS in November 2017)[163]
- Jaysh Usrah[164]
- Imarat Kavkaz[165]
- Soldiers of the Epics[166]
- Jamaat Bayt al-Maqdis al-Islamiya[167]
- Army of Umar Ibn Khattab[168]
- Army of Aleppo
- Army of Eastern Ghouta
- Army of Abu Bakr as-Sadiq
- Army of Idlib
- Army of Al-Badia
- Army of Hama[162]
- Abdullah Azzam Brigade
- Usud al-Harb Brigade
- Ahl al-Bayt Brigade
- al-Majd Brigade
- Lions of Islam Brigade Artillery and Infantry Battalion (Junud al-Sham remnants)
- Army of Uthman Ibn Affan
- Army of Al-Sham
- Army of Al-Hudud
- Army of Al-Sahi
- al-Quds Brigades
- Glory of Islam Brigade
- al-Noor Islamic Movement
- Banners of Islam Movement
- Army of Al-Ghab Plain
- Army of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq
- Mountain Army
- Army of Omar bin al-Khattab
- Army of Othman bin Affan
- Aleppo City Battalion[169]
Leadership
Since October 2017, the "general commander" or emir of Tahrir al-Sham is Abu Mohammad al-Julani, who is also Tahrir al-Sham's "military commander" and the emir of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, who also led its predecessor organisation al-Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda until 2016.[170]
Previously, the general commander of Tahrir al-Sham was Hashim al-Shaykh, also known as Abu Jaber, who was the leader of Ahrar al-Sham between September 2014 and September 2015.[171] On 1 October 2017, Abu Jaber resigned from his position as the general leader of Tahrir al-Sham and was replaced by Abu Mohammad al-Julan. Abu Jaber took another position as the head of HTS's Shura council.[2]
Individuals in italic are defectors from Ahrar al-Sham, which either left to join Jabhat Fateh al-Sham in the last few days of its existence, or directly joined Tahrir al-Sham.
- Abu Jaber (emir, until October 2017)[3]
- Abu Mohammad al-Julani (overall military commander, later emir)
- Abu Khayr al-Masri † (senior leader)[172]
- Abu Salih Tahan (military commander)[173]* Abu Badr al-Hijazi (military commander)[162]
- Abu Abdel Ghani al-Hamawi (administrator)
- Abu Mohammad al-Shari †[174]
- Abu Taher al-Hamawi (sheikh)[162]
Former groups
- Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement
- Ibn Taymiyyah Battalions (joined Ahrar al-Sham)[104]
- Jaysh al-Ahrar[175]
- Harakat Fajr ash-Sham al-Islamiya (became Ansar al-Din Front - Harakat Fajr ash-Sham al-Islamiya)[45]
- al-Murabitin Battalion
- Osama Battalion
- Abu Ali Yemeni Battalion
- Abu Hilal Zitan Battalion
- Former HTS groups that went to join the Guardians of Religion Organization[176]
- Jaysh al-Badia
- Jaysh al-Malahim
- Jaysh al-Sahil
- Saraya al-Sahil
- Jund al-Sharia
- Siriyatan Kabil
Former leaders
- Tawfiq Shahabuddin (sheikh of the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement, which left HTS in July 2017)[5]
- Abdullah al-Muhaysini (sheikh, left in September 2017)[177]
Political relations
Al-Qaeda
Initial Disputes (2017-2019)
During its foundation declaration, the first Emir Abu Jaber Shaykh had described the Levant Liberation Committee as "an independent entity" free from all the previous relations and allegiances as a result of the newly formed union with various Syrian Islamic militias, thereby disassociating itself from previously dissolved factions such as the Al-Nusra Front.[178] Since officially disassociating from Al-Qaeda in 2017, Tahrir al-Sham has formally established governance over many parts of North-West Syria.[179]
In November 2017, HTS launched a wide-scale crackdown on Al-Qaeda elements in Idlib and arrested prominent leaders from Af-Pak region and Al-Nusra Front such as Sami al-Oraydi. Emir Ayman al-Zawahiri opposed the split of HTS from Al-Qaeda, stating that it was a treasonous act done without his consent and further denounced the clampdown on foreign Jihadist fighters through an audio-statement.[180] Several Al-Qaeda circles and supporters have also condemned Joulani and compared him to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi because of the group's conflicts with other rebel groups, and have described him as an 'opportunist' as well as making claims that he is an agent of foreign powers.[181]
Conflict (2020-Present)
After reaching a ceasefire deal brokered by Turkey, HTS turned its attention to destroying Al-Qaeda cells and Islamic State remnants in Idlib.[18] Rivalry between Al-Qaeda aligned Hurras al-Din and Tahrir al-Sham had begun to escalate violently as early as December 2019. On February 2021, HTS intensified its fight against al-Qaeda cells by launching large-scale crackdown that saw many military commanders and leaders of Hurras al-Din incarcerated.[118] According to Istanbul-based academic Abbas Sharifeh, the measures were part of HTS's strategy for governance consolidation: "Golani simply does not want any competitors in Idlib, especially from a jihadi current affiliated with al-Qaeda."[118] By 2023 Tahrir al-Sham had eliminated most of the clandestine networks of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, disarmed the militias and established total control over Idlib.[18]
U.S. government accuses Tahrir al-Sham of working with al-Qaeda's Syrian branch on a covert level, despite its self-identification as a distinct organisation.[182] Some analysts assert that many of the group's senior figures, particularly Abu Jaber, held similarly extreme views.[128][183] However, Tahrir al-Sham has officially denied being part of al-Qaeda and said in a statement that the group is "an independent entity and not an extension of previous organizations or factions".[1] In his 2021 interview to PBS News, Abu Muhammad al-Julani argued that financial co-operation with Al-Qaeda was necessary to defend Syrians from the tyranny of Assad regime, and stated that "even at that time when we were with Al Qaeda, we were against external attacks".[130] Clarifying the reasons behind the termination of relations with Al-Qaeda, Julani said:
"when we saw that the interest of the revolution and the interest of the people of Syria was also to break up from Al Qaeda organization, we initiated this ourselves without pressure from anybody, without anybody talking to us about it or requesting anything. It was an individual, personal initiative based on what we thought was in the public interest that benefits the Syrian revolution."[130]
Ahrar al-Sham
According to Abdul Razzaq al-Mahdi, who was a leading scholar in Tahrir al-Sham, the groups do not particularly hate one another in the political or social battlefield. Certain members, however, do believe that a war between the two would be possible, since Ahrar al-Sham's attendance at the Astana talks labels it as a "moderate" faction, often seen as blasphemy within groups such as Tahrir al-Sham.[184]
In February 2018 Ahrar al-Sham and the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement merged and formed the Syrian Liberation Front then launched an offensive against Tahrir al-Sham seizing several villages and the city of Maarrat al-Nu'man.
Designation as a terrorist organization and Sanctions
Country | Date | References |
![]() |
31 May 2018 | [185] |
![]() |
23 May 2018 | [186] |
![]() |
31 August 2018 | [187] |
![]() |
7 April 2022 | [188] |
![]() |
[189] |
The US embassy in Syria, which had suspended operations in February 2012, confirmed in May 2017 that HTS had been designated a terrorist organization in March 2017. US State Department spokesperson further stated that a review of HTS's internal mechanism was being conducted to analyse "the issue carefully".[190] In May 2018, United States Department of State formally added HTS to its list of "Foreign Terrorist Organizations" (FTO).[185][179] United States officially confirmed in June 2023 that HTS leader Joulani had severed links to Al-Qaeda in 2016, while sanctioning individuals known to finance HTS. These included Abu Ahmed Zakour, a member of HTS Majlis ash-Shura.[191]
Canada designated Tahrir al-Sham as a terrorist organization on 23 May 2018.[186]
In August 2018, Turkey designated Tahrir al-Sham as a terrorist organization.[192] Despite this, Turkish army has pursued strategic co-operation with HTS, viewing them as allies in fight against Al-Qaeda and Islamic State remnants. Since the objective of Tahrir al-Sham was defending Idlib from Baathist regime and consolidating governance, it became party to several ceasefire agreements brokered by Turkey. Following the ceasefire deal in March 2020, HTS turned its focus to eradicate independent militias and hardline Jihadist factions in Idlib. Within few weeks it was able to dismantle Al-Qaeda networks and eventually succeeded in achieving undisputed control of Idlib by subduing or co-opting other rebel factions.[18]
HTS Response
In response to American designation of HTS as a terrorist organisation; Abu Muhammad al-Julani, distancing himself from past involvement with Al-Qaeda, stated in an 2021 interview to PBS Frontline:
"Our message to them is brief. We here do not pose any threat to you, so there is no need for you to classify people as terrorists and announce rewards for killing them. And also, all that does not affect the Syrian revolution negatively. This is the most important message. The second message is that the American policies in the region, and in Syria in particular, are incorrect policies that require huge amendments... What we might have in common would be putting an end to the humanitarian crisis and suffering that is going on in the region, and putting an end to the masses of refugees that flee to Turkey or to Europe and create huge issues, either for the Syrian people, who are being displaced all over Europe, or for the Europeans themselves.. This is the issue that we can cooperate the most on, by helping people stay here, by providing them with a dignified life here, in the region, or by liberating the lands of these people so that they can return to their homes, instead of having Russia or the Iranian militias push them to flee abroad."[130][193]
Foreign support
Qatar and Saudi Arabia accused of support
Iran's government in 2017 accused Qatar and Saudi Arabia of supporting Tahrir al-Sham.[194]
Speculated alliance with Turkey
In 2018, Turkey designated Tahrir al-Sham as a terrorist organization and the Al-Nusra Front in 2014. The Turkish government once said it was opposed to Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and had fought with it and declared it a terrorist organisation, and HTS's Syrian Salvation Government was a direct challenge to the Turkish-backed Syrian Interim Government.[195]
However, since 2017 there have been times HTS, and in particular its pragmatic faction around Abu Muhammed al-Jolani, has fought alongside the SNA which is backed and funded by Turkey, has not stopped Turkey from setting up several observation posts in its controlled territory in Idlib Governorate, and has joined joint operations rooms with Turkish-backed groups while preserving its autonomy. The Clingendael Institute in November 2019 has described the Turkish policy since 2018 as attempting to divide the pragmatic elements from the hardline elements within HTS.[195]
See also
- Army of Conquest
- Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War
- List of armed groups in the Syrian Civil War
- List of terrorist incidents in Syria
- National Front for Liberation–Tahrir al-Sham conflict
- Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)
- Second Battle of Idlib
References
- ^ a b c d Joscelyn, Thomas (10 February 2017). "Hay'at Tahrir al Sham leader calls for 'unity' in Syrian insurgency". Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ a b c "Julani is a temporary leader of the "Liberation of the Sham" .. This is the fate of its former leader". HuffPost. 2 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g Joscelyn, Thomas (28 January 2017). "Al Qaeda and allies announce 'new entity' in Syria". Long War Journal. Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ A prominent Tahrir al-Sham commander killed in southern Idlib Archived 7 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine, Islamic World News
- ^ a b c d "Nour e-Din a-Zinki defects from HTS, citing unwillingness to end rebel infighting". Syria Direct. 20 July 2017. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
- ^ Aymen Jawad al-Tamimi (2018). "From Jabhat al-Nusra to Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham: Evolution, Approach and Future" (PDF). Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and Al-Nahrain Center for Strategic Studies. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ Enab Baladi (9 November 2017). "Who Will Lead Idleb's New 'Salvation Government?'". Syrian Observer. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ Studies, Middle East, politics, GCC, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Nuclear deal, Yemen, Trump, MENA, Turkey, Gulf Crisis, Qatar, Future for Advanced Research and. "Cloning Chaos Why National Salvation Governments Fail in the Arab Region". مركز المستقبل.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Affiliation with Tahrir Al-Sham; Reasons and Motives II". MENA. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Pierre, Boussel. "The new age of armed groups in the Middle East". Foundation for Strategic Research. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) is part of the neo-Islamist lineage which, without compromising on the Salafist exegesis, bases its action on the general interest (al-masa'il al-mursala).
- ^ a b Tammy, Lynn Palacios. "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's Top-Down Disassociation from al-Qaeda in Syria". Jamestown. The Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ a b Rida, Nazeer (30 January 2017). "Syria: Surfacing of 'Hai'at Tahrir al-Sham' Threatens Truce". Asharq Al-Awsat. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017.
- ^ Reality Check team (22 June 2019). "Syria: Who's in control of Idlib?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ Joe Macaron (17 October 2018). "A confrontation in Idlib remains inevitable". Al-Jazeera. Archived from the original on 27 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ Zulfiqar Ali (18 February 2020). "Syria: Who's in control of Idlib?". BBC News. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Ods Home Page" (PDF).
- ^ a b "MİT tırları Türkmenlere mi, el Nusra'ya mı gidiyordu?". Deutsche Welle (in Turkish). 1 June 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Containing Transnational Jihadists in Syria's North West". International Crisis Group. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023.
- ^ Sosnowski, Marika (2023). Redefining Ceasefires: Wartime Order and Statebuilding in Syria. Cambridge CB2 8EA, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. p. 153. ISBN 978-1-009-34722-8.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ Nawaf Obaid (15 August 2018). "Trump Will Regret Changing His Mind About Qatar". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
- ^ Drevon, Haenni, Jerome, Patrick (2021). How Global Jihad Relocalises and Where it Leads: The Case of HTS, the Former AQ Franchise in Syria. I – 50014 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI), Italy: European University Institute. pp. 18, 29–31. ISSN 1028-3625.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Y. Zelin, Aaron (2022). "2: The Development of Political Jihadism". The Age of Political Jihadism: A Study of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. 1111 19th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington DC 20036, USA: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. p. 11. ISBN 979-8-9854474-4-6.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "Tarkhan's Jamaat (Katiba İbad ar-Rahman) Fighting In Hama Alongside Muslim Shishani". Chechens in Syria. 29 January 2018. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- ^ Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad. "The Factions of North Latakia". Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ "More Detailed Information & Interview With Newly-Formed Tatar Group Junud Al-Makhdi Whose Amir Trained In North Caucasus With Khattab". 3 July 2016. Archived from the original on 6 September 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^ "Foreign jihadists advertise role in Latakia fighting - The Long War Journal". Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^ "Malhama Tactical, The Fanatics Tactical Guru!". The Firearm Blog. 12 December 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ Caleb Weiss (18 January 2018). "New Uighur jihadist group emerges in Syria". Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- ^ "Turkey-backed fighters join forces with HTS rebels in Idlib". Al Jazeera. 10 July 2020.
- ^ Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS): Israel Purposely Choose Ramadan To Attack Aqsa Mosque To Provoke Muslims, Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS): Israel Purposely Choose Ramadan To Attack Aqsa Mosque To Provoke Muslims (12 May 2021). "Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS): Israel Purposely Choose Ramadan To Attack Aqsa Mosque To Provoke Muslims". Al-Shami Al-Hr. MEMRI TV. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ a b "#Syria, Homs – Div Liwa Rijal Allah joins Harakat Tahrir Homs". Yalla Souriya. 9 April 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
- ^ a b "The Moderate Rebels: A Growing List of Vetted Groups Fielding BGM-71 TOW Anti-Tank Guided Missiles". Hasan Mustafa. 8 May 2015. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
- ^ "Idlib Faces a Fearsome Future: Islamist Rule or Mass Murder". 19 September 2019. Archived from the original on 20 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ "هجوم مباغت لهيئة تحرير الشام في ريف حلب يسفر عن مقتل 10 عناصر من ميليشيا النجباء العراقية". 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Syria war: 'Dozens killed' as jihadists clash in Idlib". BBC News. 14 February 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ a b Mroue, Bassem (14 February 2017). "Clashes between 2 extremist groups kill scores in Syria". Associated Press. Beirut. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
- ^ Aron Lund (23 February 2018). "Understanding Eastern Ghouta in Syria". New Humanitarian.
- ^ ""Liberation Sham" Tdk sites of the regime north of Homs .. And suffered losses (Photos)". El-Dorar al-Shamia. 17 April 2018.
- ^ BBC Monitoring (12 February 2017). "Tahrir al-Sham: Al-Qaeda's latest incarnation in Syria". BBC News. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ Drevon, Haenni, Jerome, Patrick (2021). "Abstract". How Global Jihad Relocalises and Where it Leads: The Case of HTS, the Former AQ Franchise in Syria (PDF). I – 50014 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI), Italy: European University Institute. pp. v. ISSN 1028-3625.
HTS's domination was followed by a policy of gradual opening and mainstreamisation. The group has had to open up to local communities and make concessions, especially in the religious sphere. HTS is seeking international acceptance with the development of a strategic partnership with Turkey and desires to open dialogue with Western countries. Overall, HTS has transformed from formerly being a salafi jihadi organisation into having a new mainstream approach to political Islam.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Y. Zelin, Aaron (2022). "2: The Development of Political Jihadism". The Age of Political Jihadism: A Study of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. 1111 19th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington DC 20036, USA: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. pp. 7–12. ISBN 979-8-9854474-4-6.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b Mona Alami (6 December 2017). "Syria's Largest Militant Alliance Steps Further Away From Al-Qaeda". Syria Deply. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ Joscelyn, Thomas (10 February 2017). "Hay'at Tahrir al Sham leader calls for 'unity' in Syrian insurgency". Long Wars Journal. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017.
- ^ "Syria Islamist factions, including former al Qaeda branch, join forces: statement". Reuters. 28 January 2017. Archived from the original on 28 January 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ a b "New component split from "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham"". Syria Call. 9 February 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
- ^ Tsurkov, Elizabeth (10 November 2020). "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (Syria)". ECFR. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020.
- ^ "The Syrian General Conference Faces the Interim Government in Idlib". Enab Baladi. 18 September 2017. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ Syria news Archived 9 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine Shaam network
- ^ Drevon, Haenni, Jerome, Patrick (2021). "II: The Political Deprogramming of the Radical Emirate". How Global Jihad Relocalises and Where it Leads: The Case of HTS, the Former AQ Franchise in Syria. I – 50014 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI), Italy: European University Institute: European University Institute. pp. 12–20. ISSN 1028-3625.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham". Stanford University. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023.
- ^ a b Petkova, Mariya (25 September 2018). "After the Sochi agreement, HTS is facing internal divisions". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ Joscelyn, Thomas (20 February 2016). "Aleppo-based rebel groups reportedly unite behind Ahrar al Sham's former top leader". FDD's Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Charles Lister (15 February 2018). "How al-Qa'ida Lost Control of its Syrian Affiliate: The Inside Story – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point". Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ Joscelyn, Thomas (10 February 2017). "Hay'at Tahrir al Sham leader calls for 'unity' in Syrian insurgency". Long Wars Journal. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017.
The new formation was announced on 28 January 2017. He emphasizes that HTS "is an independent entity and not an extension of previous organizations or factions." Instead, he claims, "it is a merger where all factions and titles were dissolved and disintegrated."
- ^ "Why Syria's al-Qaeda affiliate is no longer on Canada's terror list". Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- ^ Kyle Orton (6 February 2017). "Analysis: 'Al-Qaeda Reshapes the Insurgency in Northern Syria'". Henry Jackson Society. Archived from the original on 10 February 2017.
- ^ "Air strikes kill 12 fighters in Syria's Idlib: monitor". Reuters. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Pentagon: 11 al Qaeda terrorists killed in airstrikes near Idlib, Syria | FDD's Long War Journal". longwarjournal.org. 8 February 2017. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Syrians demonstrating collecting "no place for a base in Syria"". Arabi 21. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
- ^ "سوريون ينتقدون رفع صور "هاشم الشيخ" في مظاهرات إدلب". عنب بلدي أونلاين. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d "The Formation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and Wider Tensions in the Syrian Insurgency". Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ "New video mesaage from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām's Hishām al-Shaykh: "First Words"". Jihadology. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "At least 23 were killed today during an attack by the factions and Fateh al-Sham Front in Daraa al-Balad at the city of Daraa". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 12 February 2017. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
- ^ "Jihadist rebel groups clash in northwest Syria - monitor". Reuters. 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Excuses and Warning for the Liwā' al-Āqsā Group"". Jihadology. 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "Search for the dead begins in Idlib after Islamic State-linked brigade leaves for Raqqa". SyriaDirect. Archived from the original on 19 April 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
- ^ SITE (24 February 2017). "Tahrir al-Sham Declare Terminating Liwa al-Aqsa". siteintelgroup.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
- ^ "War On Terror: Who Is Abu Khayr al-Masri? Al Qaeda Second In Command Killed In Drone Strike In Syria". IB Times. 26 February 2017. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ "Syria: Al Qaeda Deputy Killed In Apparent Drone Strike". Stratfor.
- ^ "2 Tahrir al-Sham fighters killed by US-led coalition drone near Idlib". Orient News. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ Hamdi Alkhshali and Barbara Starr. "Deputy al Qaeda leader killed In Syria". CNN. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- ^ "Residents rally against hardline Islamists: 'We're not afraid because we've got nothing to lose'". SyriaDirect. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
- ^ Hennigan, W. J. (17 March 2017). "U.S. military denies airstrike hit mosque in Syria, following reports of dozens killed". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
- ^ "US insists Al Jinah raid targeted al-Qaeda, not mosque". Al Jazeera. 17 March 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
- ^ Triebert, Christiaan (16 March 2017). "CONFIRMED: US Responsible for Aleppo Mosque Bombing - bellingcat". bellingcat. Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
- ^ Fadel, Leith (21 March 2017). "US Coalition kills high ranking jihadist commander in Idlib". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 24 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
- ^ "Syria Situation Report: March 17 - 30, 2017" (PDF). Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ "Former Al-Qaeda affiliate confiscates flour at checkpoint: 'We won't give it up'". Syria:direct. 27 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Petkova, Mariya (1 March 2018). "Where is al-Qaeda in Syria?". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
- ^ "Why arrested victory Front "Suhail Abu tau"". Al-Etihad Press. 4 May 2017. Archived from the original on 7 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ a b Tomson, Chris (21 May 2017). "Islamist rebel group joins Al-Qaeda franchise in Syria". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 11 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ^ a b "باستثناء قائدها جفالة… كتائب (أبو عمارة) تعلن انضمامها لـ (تحرير الشام)". All4Syria. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ^ "Widening clashes between the front and the victory of the Lebanese organization Daesh Jarod Arsal". Al Mayadeen. 27 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017.
- ^ "Front victory arrest Abdul Baset Al-Sarout on charges of incitement". Al Etihad Press. 30 May 2017. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ ""Battalion driven" and "Islam Brigades" deny Mbaiathma for "Sham edit body"". Al-Nour. 2 June 2017. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- ^ "Northern Brigade separates from Sham Legion". All4Syria. 30 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- ^ Moussaoui, Rana. "Jihadists take control of major Syrian city". Yahoo! News. AFP. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
- ^ "Hay'at Tahrir al Sham Commits Wide Violations in Idlib Governorate" (PDF). Syrian Network for Human Rights. 21 October 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "Idlib: Tahrir al-Sham arrests 8 fighters fled Madaya town". Zaman al-Wasl. 20 August 2017. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
- ^ Hassan Hassan (26 February 2017). "What Daabul's death says about jihadism in Syria - The National". The National. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ Joscelyn, Thomas (25 February 2017). "Syrian military intelligence official killed in suicide assault in Homs". Long War Journal. Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ مهنا, ناجي (26 February 2017). "بالأسماء: توثيق مقتل 31 ضباط في تفجير حمص". هيومن فويس. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ محمد, حسام (26 February 2017). "تفاصيل ومعلومات حصرية حول تفجيرات حمص". هيومن فويس. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ بيان عسكري حول العملية الأمنية في حمص للشيخ/ الفاتح أبو محمد الجولاني - القائد العسكري العام. تحرير الشام. 27 February 2017. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
"New video message from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām's Abū Muḥammad al-Jawlānī: "Military Statement About the Blessed Security Operation in Ḥomṣ"". Jihadology. 27 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017. - ^ Hassan, Hassan (26 February 2017). "What Daabul's death says about jihadism in Syria". The Nation. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ "Tahrir al-Sham claims bombings in Syria's Damascus". Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
"Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate claims twin bombing in Damascus". BBC. 12 March 2017. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018. - ^ At least 40 killed in Damascus bombing targeting Shi'ites Archived 17 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine Reuters 11 March 2017
- ^ Syrian jihadists say responsible for Damascus double bomb attack Archived 20 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine Reuters 12 March 2017
- ^ "Who Is Assassinating Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham's Leaders?". Syria From Within | Chatham House. 21 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ Mona Alami (6 December 2017). "Syria's Largest Militant Alliance Steps Further Away From Al-Qaeda". Syria Deply. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ Shelton, Tracey (23 December 2017). "Al Qaeda trying to rebrand as deadly feud rips through leadership". ABC News. Archived from the original on 14 January 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ "Hashim al-Sheikh". Counter Extremism Project. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Executive Summary for October 4th, 2017". Syria Deeply. 4 October 2017. Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Edit the Sham show the events of events in the city of Dara Azza West of Aleppo". Qasioun News Agency. 2 October 2017. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
- ^ The New Arab (5 October 2017). "Syria al-Qaeda affiliate denies Russian strike injured leader Joulani". alaraby. Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ "The victory attacks Zanki in the countryside of Aleppo and Idleb .. And news of a military alliance to confront them". Al Mayadeen. 10 November 2017. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ "Syrian Civil War factions". Google Docs. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "HTS leaves north Homs town following civilian protests". Syria Direct. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 17 February 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ^ Joško Barić (28 February 2018). "Syrian War Daily – 28th of February 2018". Syrian War Daily. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ^ "Al-Qaida-linked group in Syria strengthens hold on northwest". Washington Post. Associated Press. 10 January 2019. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019.
- ^ "Russia prepares 'crushing' offensive in Syria". Washington Examiner. 10 June 2019. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ "Military Escalation Continues in Northwest Syria". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (14 February 2019). "Hayat Tahir al-Sham and al-Qaeda: Affiliates or Foes?". Middle East Forum. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ "Syria and Middle East Security, Michael Mulroy Remarks | C-SPAN.org". c-span.org. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "War monitor says 71 fighters killed in unrest in north-west Syria". Middle East Monitor. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ "Fierce fighting in Syria's north-west claims more than 100 lives". The National. Archived from the original on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham". Stanford University. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023.
- ^ a b c Khaled al-Khateb (1 March 2021). "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham intensifies campaign against al-Qaeda affiliate in Idlib". Al-Monitor. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "The Policies of "Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham": from Ensuring Security to Supporting Stability". Jusoor. January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023.
- ^ Nasr, Wassim (11 May 2023). "Reporter's notebook: Idlib, the last Islamist rebel bastion in Syria". France24. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023.
- ^ Cruickshank, Paul (May 2023). "Journey to Idlib: An Interview with Wassim Nasr, Journalist, France24". CTC. Archived from the original on 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Former Al-Qaeda Affiliate in Syria seems to soften its brand". Washington Post. 2 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "The Policies of "Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham": from Ensuring Security to Supporting Stability". Jusoor. January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023.
- ^ Y. Zelin, Aaron (15 August 2022). "New Release from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's Abu Mariya al-Qahtani: "Advice"". Jihadology. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023.
- ^ Ali, Malin (28 May 2023). "HTS' leader pledges to change battles' map in Aleppo". North Press Agency. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023.
- ^ Iddon, Paul (31 May 2023). "Why Syria's Kurds and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are offering to host refugees". New Arab. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023.
- ^ "اتصالات بين "تحرير الشام" و"قسد".. اقتصاد وسياسة ثم إدارة مدنية مشتركة" [Contacts between Tahrir al-Sham and SDF... economy and politics, then a joint civil administration]. Syria TV. 12 June 2023. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023.
- ^ a b Reports, CATF. "Al-Qaeda's Grand Plan for Syria Passes Through Hayat Tahrir al-Sham". Archived from the original on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hay'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Condolences on the Dismounting of Dr. Muḥammad Mursī"". jihadology.net. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Interview-Abu Mohammad al-Jolani". PBS Frontline. 2 April 2021.
- ^ Drevon, Haenni, Jerome, Patrick (2021). "II: The Political Deprogramming of the Radical Emirate". How Global Jihad Relocalises and Where it Leads: The Case of HTS, the Former AQ Franchise in Syria. ISSN. I – 50014 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI), Italy: European University Institute. pp. 12–20. ISSN 1028-3625.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Drevon, Haenni, Jerome, Patrick (2021). "II: The Political Deprogramming of the Radical Emirate". How Global Jihad Relocalises and Where it Leads: The Case of HTS, the Former AQ Franchise in Syria. ISSN. I – 50014 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI), Italy: European University Institute. p. 16. ISSN 1028-3625.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Islamist militiamen in Tahrir al Sham allow Christians to publicly celebrate Mass in the province of Idlib". Agenzia Fides. 8 September 2022. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022.
- ^ Burak Karacaoglu, Karaahmet, Mehmet, Ahmet (22 April 2022). "Christians in Syria's Idlib worship freely: Archpriest". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "A poll of the population of Idlib .. in light of the deportation of dissidents". All4Syria. 27 August 2017. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ Joanna Paraszczuk (22 May 2019). "Mansur Dagestani, Amir of Liwa Muhajireen Wal Ansar, Killed in N. Hama". From Chechnya to Syria. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
- ^ Caleb Weiss (31 July 2019). "UN: Islamic Jihad Union operates in Syria". Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 3 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
- ^ Paraszczuk, Joanna; Anvar, Barno (23 September 2015). "The Last Moments Of A Suicide Bomber In Syria". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ Caleb Weiss (12 June 2019). "Foreign jihadists involved in Hama fighting". Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- ^ "ISIS deserters form new militia southern Syria - ARA News". ARA News. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ "Uighur jihadist fought in Afghanistan, killed in Syria - FDD's Long War Journal". FDD's Long War Journal. 14 February 2017. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ Al-Baalbaky, Rudayna; Mhidi, Ahmad (December 2018). "Tribes and the rule of the "Islamic State": the case of the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor" (PDF). Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, American University of Beirut.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katībat Usūd al-Jabal Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 4 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katībat Fursān al-Khilāfah Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 5 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Jabhat Shuhadā' al-Shām Pledges Allegiance to Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 5 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katībat al-Tawḥīd Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katībat al-Shahīd Ibrāhīm Qabbānī Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katībat Bayt al-Maqdis Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katā'ib Anṣār al-Shām Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 7 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katībat al-Shahīd Abū Usīd Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 8 February 2017. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katībat Āshbāl al-Sunnah Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katā'ib al-Sayf al 'Umrī Pledges Allegiance to Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Jabhat al-Ṣādiqīn Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Liwā' Ahl al-Shām Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katībat al-Ṣā'iqah Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katībat al-Ṣadīq Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 23 February 2017. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Katībat Abū Talḥah al-Anṣārī Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 21 February 2017. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ "New statement from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "The Military Wing of the First Regiment Joins Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"". Jihadology. 27 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ a b "Analysis: Insurgents launch major offensive against Assad regime in Hama province - FDD's Long War Journal". FDD's Long War Journal. 24 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
- ^ "Syrian military intelligence official killed in suicide assault in Homs | FDD's Long War Journal". longwarjournal.org. 25 February 2017. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "First Pictures Of The Sunni Foreign Fighters Movement In Iran Affiliated With The HTS In Syria". Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Welcome conflict-news.com - Justhost.com". conflict-news.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ "More jihadist groups defect from Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham in northern Syria". 18 June 2017. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
- ^ "Breaking: Russians kill top Chechen Al-Qaeda leader in Syria". Al Masdar News. 18 December 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ Joanna Paraszuk (9 October 2017). "Imarat Kavkaz fighter Askhat Koybaev killed in Abu Dali, Hama". From Chechnya to Syria. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 1st of January 2018". Syrian War Daily. 1 January 2018. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- ^ https://i0.wp.com/journalism-now.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/017qndpynh-flywheel.netdna-ssl.comHay%E2%80%99at-Tahrir-al-Sham-a815935ca6fffbe10d8fe45f1d988ead5b8c45b9.jpg [dead link]
- ^ "After forming 3 armies and in conjunction with selling its real estate, Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham declares its position on the disarmament agreement in the coming time • the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights". 30 September 2018. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
- ^ "Aleppo is living nightmare of future battle". Enab Baladi. 29 January 2020.
- ^ "Syrian Nusra Front announces split from al-Qaeda". BBC News. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 30 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- ^ Alex MacDonald (16 February 2016). "Aleppo rebels unite under former Ahrar al-Sham commander". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- ^ "Al Qaeda eulogizes Egyptian leader killed in Idlib, Syria | FDD's Long War Journal". longwarjournal.org. 5 March 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ Lund, Aron (8 February 2017). "The Jihadi Spiral". Carnegie Middle East Center. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ Mona Alami (22 September 2017). "Is this the beginning of the end for Idlib's jihadi groups?". Al-Monitor. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ "Jaish al-Ahrar leaves Tahrir al-Sham alliance: statement". Zaman al-Wasl. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ ""تنظيم حراس الدين" اتحاد جديد لتشكيلات القاعدة في سوريا". Step Agency. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ^ Patrick Hoover, Omar Kebbe (22 September 2017). "After Raqqa: The Next Jihadist Stronghold in Syria". Jamestown Foundation. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ Joscelyn, Thomas (10 February 2017). "Hay'at Tahrir al Sham leader calls for 'unity' in Syrian insurgency". Long Wars Journal. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017.
He emphasizes that HTS "is an independent entity and not an extension of previous organizations or factions." Instead, he claims, "it is a merger where all factions and titles were dissolved and disintegrated." With these lines, Abu Jaber undoubtedly intends to distance HTS from the legacy of al Qaeda's official arm, which he and others now argue no longer exits.
- ^ a b Ioanes, Ellen (12 February 2023). "Why the earthquake caused a "perfect storm" of a crisis in Syria". Vox. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023.
- ^ "Tahrir al-Sham Arrests of Qaeda Leaders Cranks up Zawahiri- Julani Dispute". Asharq Al-Awsat. 30 November 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "Has al-Qaeda Replanted its Flag in Syria?". news.siteintelgroup.com. 28 March 2018. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ Ali, Zulfiqar (7 May 2019). "Osama bin Laden: Eight years after his death, where is al-Qaeda?". BBC. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ "Tahrir al-Sham: Al-Qaeda's latest incarnation in Syria". BBC News. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ TV, OGN (2 February 2017). "Is Tahreer Sham gearing up for a fight with Ahrar?". YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Amendments to the Terrorist Designations of al-Nusrah Front". U.S. Department of State. 31 May 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021.
{{cite web}}
:|first=
missing|last=
(help) - ^ a b Government of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada (30 May 2018). "Canada Gazette, Part 2, Volume 152, Number 11: Regulations Amending the Regulations Establishing a List of Entities". gazette.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
- ^ "Turkey designates Syria's Tahrir al-Sham as terrorist group". Reuters. 31 August 2018. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019 – via uk.reuters.com.
- ^ "Documents: voici la nouvelle liste des individus et des entités classés terroristes par le Maroc". H24info.ma (in French). 12 May 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "Charities warned that sending aid to Syria's Idlib could be a 'terror offence'". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ US denies reports Syria rebels Nusra off terror list Archived 16 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Al-Araby, 16 May 2017
- ^ Y. Zelin, Aaron (2 June 2023). "Sanctioning a Syrian Jihadist Leader: Implications of a Joint U.S.-Turkish Designation". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023.
- ^ "Turkey designates Syria's Tahrir al-Sham as terrorist group". Reuters. 31 August 2018. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019 – via www.reuters.com.
- ^ Y. Zelin, Aaron (2022). "Introduction". The Age of Political Jihadism: A Study of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. 1111 19th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington DC 20036, USA: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. pp. 2–3. ISBN 979-8-9854474-4-6.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "Confrontation between Turkey, Saudi Arabia Root Cause of Tensions among Terrorist Groups in Syria Archived 17 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine". Fars News Agency. 9 February 2017.
- ^ a b "Key characteristics of Turkish use of Syrian armed proxies | Strategies of Turkish proxy warfare in northern Syria". clingendael.org. November 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- Anti-government factions of the Syrian civil war
- 2017 establishments in Asia
- 2017 establishments in Syria
- Islamist groups
- Islamism in Syria
- Islamic terrorism in Syria
- Paramilitary organizations based in Syria
- Rebel groups that actively control territory
- Salafi Islamism
- Salafi Islamist groups
- Jihadist groups in Syria
- Anti-ISIL factions in Syria
- Anti-Eastern Orthodoxy
- Anti-Christian sentiment
- Violence against Christians
- Violence against Shia Muslims
- Anti-Shi'ism
- Organizations that oppose LGBT rights
- Tahrir al-Sham
- Idlib
- Organizations designated as terrorist by Turkey
- Organizations based in Asia designated as terrorist
- Organizations designated as terrorist by Canada
- Organizations designated as terrorist by the United States
- Organisations designated as terrorist by Australia
- Jihadist groups
- Organisations designated as terrorist by the United Kingdom
- Organizations designated as terrorist by Morocco