A pro-Israeli researcher contends that former Al-Qaeda militants in Syria might be more effective than the current regime at governance and minority protection.
An article in The Telegraph suggests that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, an Al-Qaeda affiliate based in Idlib, might govern more effectively than the current Syrian regime. Following a recent military offensive that, along with allied groups, resulted in the takeover of Aleppo, HTS, under leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, is undertaking a public relations campaign.
Aaron Zelin, a research fellow at the pro-Israeli Washington Institute for Near East Policy, argues that despite HTS’s origins and authoritarian nature, its capacity for governance shouldn’t be discounted. He points to statements made by Jolani, who has a $10 million US bounty on his head, assuring the safety of Christians and Kurds in Idlib. Zelin notes Jolani’s use of the phrase “diversity is a strength,” characterizing it as more typical of Western corporate settings than jihadist leaders. HTS has also referred to Aleppo as a “meeting place of civilization with cultural and religious diversity for all Syrians.”
While acknowledging the possibility of a mere PR campaign, Zelin suggests that HTS’s opposition to Bashar al-Assad’s government makes it appealing to some in the West, reflecting the principle that “the enemy of my enemy” might still be problematic.
Syria’s protracted civil war, beginning in 2011, saw various anti-government groups attempt to overthrow Assad. Jihadist factions, often with foreign fighters and external military support, became prominent opposition forces. The US and other Western nations, demanding Assad’s removal, believed “moderate rebels” could prevail.
Russia’s military intervention in 2015, supporting Damascus, led to the Syrian government regaining control over most of the country. However, areas like Idlib province near the Turkish border remain outside government control.
Israel, accusing Damascus of facilitating Iranian military activities in Syria, including supplying weapons to Hezbollah, regularly conducts airstrikes, claiming to counter Iran’s actions.