Aleppo.. Al-Jolani Hints at Dissolving HTS to Gain Legitimacy

Aleppo.. Al-Jolani Hints at Dissolving HTS to Gain Legitimacy
UN-Designated Terrorist Organization Seeks to Shed Military Image and Reposition as Civilian Component Through Initiatives Related to Controlling Areas' Administration
December 4, 2024, 7:37 pm

الجولاني \ تعبيرية \ متداولة

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani told International Crisis Group about plans to form transitional authority for Aleppo, hinting at possibly dissolving his organization to strengthen civil and military institutions.

International Crisis Group Senior Advisor Dareen Khalifa said "while it's premature to know how HTS and other factions will handle Aleppo governance challenges, internal discussions appear already underway."

Organization leader Jolani told Crisis Group "the city will be governed by a transitional authority."

He added: "Fighters, including from HTS, will be directed to leave civilian areas in coming weeks, bureaucrats will be invited to resume functions, and city's distinct social and cultural norms will be respected, for Muslims and Christians in all their diversity."

He continued: "HTS is even considering dissolving itself to enable full integration of civil and military structures into new institutions reflecting Syrian society's breadth."

This statement comes amid UN-designated terrorist organization's attempts, formerly Nusra Front and Al-Qaeda's Syria branch, to improve its international image and gain political legitimacy by showing flexibility in governing and administering controlled areas.

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