A scene of jubilation in Damascus after rebels opposed to the Assad regime entered the Syrian capital on Dec. 8. (Credit: Louai Beshara/AFP)
In just over 10 days, the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) armed group toppled the Assad regime without bloodshed and started to prepare the ground for a new era in Syria. As soon as it seized power, the former al-Qaeda branch in Syria and the rebels announced historic measures, raising hopes of peaceful governance, after the fall of a half a century of dictatorship. “With the Assad regime now a thing of the past and state-building becoming the priority, Syrians will most likely demand more reforms with higher standards,” said Fadil Hanci, research associate at the Omran Center. “How HTS will respond to these demands will have a significant influence on the human rights situation in Syria,” Hanci added. Read more Abu Mohammed al-Jolani: The making of a ‘hero’ That is particularly true since the reality on the ground could...
In just over 10 days, the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) armed group toppled the Assad regime without bloodshed and started to prepare the ground for a new era in Syria. As soon as it seized power, the former al-Qaeda branch in Syria and the rebels announced historic measures, raising hopes of peaceful governance, after the fall of a half a century of dictatorship. “With the Assad regime now a thing of the past and state-building becoming the priority, Syrians will most likely demand more reforms with higher standards,” said Fadil Hanci, research associate at the Omran Center. “How HTS will respond to these demands will have a significant influence on the human rights situation in Syria,” Hanci added. Read more Abu Mohammed al-Jolani: The making of a ‘hero’ That is particularly true since the reality on the ground...