Syria Under HTS: A New Era or an Islamist Agenda?
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Hashim Sheikh - . December 31, 2024
- . Update: December 31, 2024 4:30 pm
The world is keeping an eye on Syria after the announcement of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led by Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Jolani) took control over Syria after throwing out President Bashar al-Assad’s governance.
This news of HTS in Syria can be a challenge for the Middle East and the world because HTS was initially linked to Al-Qaeda. Sources are confident that this organization HTS is saying that they are not part of Al-Qaeda, they are just separating themselves to take government responsibilities in Syria.
So al-Jolani faces various challenges in governance, stability, and public trust.
Islamists’ Goals: Control of State Institutions
HTS has declared it ambition is to rebuild Syria, the showed their intention to draft a new constitution. Recently they declared that these process will take up to three years, they showed hopes for credible elections in Syria.
But at the same time critics are analysing these as a threat for Syrian and Islamist agenda. They are showing concern by calling it HTS’s state-building approach to fulfill their motos of Islamic state. This raises concerns about inclusiveness, democratic integrity, and the balance between governance and ideological objectives.
Release of Accused and Convicted Persons
Critics are highlighting that HTS is saying they have no ties with al-Queda ideologies but there are proves that they has given space to foreign Islamist fighters into its ranks. This is a big question for security risks for indivisuals. Various reputed news sources like UN News, are confirming the ties of HTS with Al-Queda and islamic idelogies, by its releases.
The presence of such Jihadi mindsets in HTS is a threat for public security. It is building distrust among the local population and international observers on HTS intentions.
As Syrians are trying to return to normal life but the changes in the governance which is imply promoting Islamic agendas are making the situation challenging.
Al-Jolani’s Governance Challenges in Idlib
Idlib is one of the critical region that highlights the struggle of al-Jolani’s governance. The integration of foreign fighters and the slow pace of institutional development indicate potential failures in state management.
Critics argue that Islamist roots of HTS is makeing is harder for HTS to govern independntly.
