The Hayat Tahrir Al-Cham group, which has controlled a large part of the rebel enclave for more than four years, is trying to make people forget its Islamist and jihadist heritage and present itself as an entity capable of managing a territory. Objective: to be essential in post-conflict Syria.
The Salafist-inspired organization Hayat Tahrir Al-Cham (HTC), which has ruled much of Idlib province since 2017, the last rebel and Islamist stronghold in northwestern Syria, “Tries to convince the Syrians and the world that it is no longer as radical and repressive as it once was”, writes The Washington Post.
The group, which saw itself, at a certain period of the war in Syria, as a “Jihadist movement” capable of overthrowing the regime of Bashar El-Assad, cut, five years ago, its links with Al-Qaida and claims to attack other extremist groups present in Idlib, lists the American newspaper.
The group showed up “pragmatic” in recent years, notably by using the rhetoric of combating extremism “In the hope of pleasing the United States and other governments which continue to classify it as a terrorist group”, continues the media.
Today, the group says it is focused on providing services for the millions of people in the rebel province of Idlib through an embryonic government. ”
Idlib region “Transformed”, Write the Post, “Not yet in a state, but in a place where orderly routines have been installed”.
Traffic officers are posted at crossroads. Buses transport students and other users. Citizens line up in ministries and public services. ”
The American newspaper even says that HTC stopped attacking a local radio station, targeted for years by Islamists “Because she played music, hired women and because her liberal values posed a challenge to these zealous and armed men”.
Everyday life
Hayat Tahrir Al-Cham’s goal is to surrender “irreplaceable” in post-conflict Syria, explains an analyst quoted by the American daily.
Nevertheless, temper the Washington Post, Idlib leaders “Were less effective in alleviating the difficulties of everyday life” in the enclave, which has a large number of displaced Syrians.
Idlib is still torn by war, and around 2 million people – half the population – are internally displaced persons struggling to find food and shelter. ”
The de facto government has failed to curb inflation. His decision to increase taxes on olive production has even recently sparked protests. On the other hand, journalists and other commentators who criticize the government or HTC are frequently arrested.
Source
The great daily newspaper of the American capital and one of the most influential titles of the world press. Traditionally in the right center, The Washington Post owes its reputation to its legendary investigative work in the case of
[…]
Read more
