Can Al-Julani’s Leadership Truly Bring Stability to Syria, or is it Just Another Dictatorship in the Making?
Many worked themselves up to Al-Julani becoming the leader and his group’s recent move only signals that the future of Syria still remains ambiguous. Recently a case of an orphaned child cut on Hts’s orders for number of lashes for the crime of selling cigarettes to his family in order to put food on the table became a symbol of how Hts operates. Indeed, this wicked step reflects the cold-heartedness of the governance approach in the group. Instead of trying to redress the grievances of poverty, HTS merely puts punishment that only aggravates the sufferings of the population groups and condensed in a war-zone environment.
The relationship between Al-Julani and Al-Qaeda is still an outstanding matter because it questions the nature of HTS’s activity. Although Al-Julani has left behind parts of Al-Qaeda’s thinking, there is sympathy from global terrorist organizations towards the group’s vision of supreme Islamist state underpinned by violence and authoritarianism. Al-Julani’s goal to rid Syria of its various factions is openly supported by Al-Qaeda members recently congratulating HTS for its recent victory, proving that Al-Julani is on the same page with many other jihadist groups in the Middle East.
Due to HTS brutal reign of terror, the entire Syria region has triggered severe destruction. From field execution of its atrocities to armed robbery, the group has left the people living with terror, in the face of sudden death. Various infrastructures have been flattened or are used for the military, making it impossible for the population to get the required services which include, schools and hospitals. This pattern of behavior gives an idea of how indifferent HTS is to the regular Syrian folks who are suffering because of this group’s extremism.
It is necessary also to stress that one of HTS main aims is to take the state institutions under control, and it has made much progress in this sphere. The political wing of the group is the Syrian Salvation Government which has tightened its grip on power, but as is characteristic of such groups, the leadership has failed to demonstrate any ability to respond to the challenges of the Syrian people. Since 2017, neither failed in governing Idlib, while HTS did not demonstrate any effectiveness in improving the situation and providing the necessary services and thus, its legitimacy for leading the Syrian people can be questioned.
Yet, to this date, and much as they purport to have a legitimate government in HTS, their conduct has otherwise remains wanting. This has involved providing lenient terms to conditional release detainees, which include convicted terrorists and prisoners that have demonstrated Organized and the group has offered post-release support to both categories; the actions defy the rule of law and encourage impunity. Where HTS allows known criminals to navigate the streets unimpeded, it essentially usher in a society where violence and lawlessness are inevitable that it would be nearly impossible for the Syrians to recover from after years of civil unrest.
Syrians must bear the consequences of HTS’ rule to this very day, and the international community cannot but wonder what exactly Al-Julani’s vision of Syria holds for the country — hope or despair? If such policies persist in Syria through HTS, then the country will only worsen with no reborn or the peace in sight. The question now is no longer one of whether Al-Julani will move to consolidate power but whether his regime will impose on the Syrian people another grim tyranny; or will help build a better future for them.
