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This was explained by Maher Fargali, an expert on extremist groups Hai’at Tahrir al-Sham She managed to use “political and military pragmatism” that allowed her to consolidate her influence.
He pointed out that Abu Muhammad al-Julani, the group’s leader, led radical transformations through alliances with local factions and the restructuring of a military council called Al-Fath al-Mubin Chamber. This room includes more than 26 factions, the most prominent of which are: Fatah al-Sham, Liwa al-Haq, Ansar al-Din and Jaish al-Sunna, in addition to factions from the National Liberation Front such as Free Army And Sukur Al-Sham.
Unprecedented funding and armaments
According to Fargali, the Authority receives funds estimated at $21 million a month from oil, tax and trade revenues, which have helped it strengthen its military capabilities. “The government was able to secure advanced weapons, including drones, which helped it expand in Aleppo and other areas,” he says.
Internal challenges and geopolitical changes
Despite this expansion, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham faces major internal challenges. It previously suffered from “spy infiltrations and internal divisions,” Fargali says.
He added that al-Julani had adopted a tough approach to get rid of rival leaders and those suspected of being loyal to al-Qaeda, leading to widespread protests in areas controlled by the group.
Regionallyfears of reconciliation played between Turkey andSyrian regime Role in accelerating the recent movements of the military body. “The attacks on Aleppo were a preemptive step aimed at strengthening their positions before any change in the regional balance,” Fargali said.
Unknown future
Despite this expansion, Fargali believes that the confrontations have not come to an end, warning of the possibility of internal conflicts breaking out between factions allied under the auspices of the Military Council, or the defeat of the Government as a result of regional and international pressures.
Strong return of armed groups in Syrialed by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, represents an important shift that reflects the complex dynamics between local alliances, internal challenges and geopolitical changes. However, the ability of these groups to maintain their cohesion and expansion remains questionable in light of escalating internal and external challenges.
Hai’at Tahrir al-Sham
After the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011, many armed organizations were formed that were defeated, disbanded or merged with other factions. At the head of these groups is Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which has gone through four phases since its inception.
- First phase (2012-2013)
The first of these phases is the establishment, as it was formed in 2012, with funding from ISIS, and at the time it was known as the Al-Nusra Front.
- Second phase (2013-2016)
In the years that followed, between 2013 and 2016 to be precise, the group split from ISIS, and its leader, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, declared allegiance to al-Qaeda.
- Third phase (2016-2017)
A year later, the group witnessed radical transformations in its orientations, as it ideologically separated itself from al-Qaeda and limited itself to conducting operations within Syrian borders.
- Third phase (2016-2017)
The group, which became known as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, followed a strategy based on the defeat of other factions in Idlib, with the aim of maintaining its influence, until it came under control of most of the city’s areas.
- Fourth phase (2017-present)
Since 2017, the group has merged with new factions and become known under its current name, while its activity has mainly focused on local control and governance.
The United Nations, the United States, and Canada include a list of countries and entities that classify Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham as a terrorist organization.
Jabhat Tahrir al-Sham is one of the strongest armed factions in northwestern Syria, as it controls most of Idlib and the nearby northern areas.
