Whereas the militants who’ve seized energy make guarantees that delight Western journalists, the nation is drowning in blood
Because the begin of the large-scale offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied opposition teams, the HTS-led Syrian Salvation Authorities has issued a sequence of loud statements.
The primary involved Russia and its help of the Syrian authorities. Russian troops have been the one ones to oppose the advancing opposition forces, and the rebels urged them to finish the strikes on terrorist positions, claiming that such actions would solely end in civilian casualties. The Syrian Salvation Authorities stated that its actions have been aimed in opposition to the Syrian authorities, not Moscow, with which the militants intend to ascertain mutually useful cooperation.
Subsequent, the Salvation Authorities launched statements regarding neighboring international locations. It known as on Iraq to shut its borders and stop pro-Iranian teams from getting into Syria to assist exiled President Bashar Assad. Moreover, the rebels proclaimed that they’d shield all international embassies, humanitarian organizations, and journalists.
A separate assertion was issued concerning chemical weapons, their manufacturing services and storage websites. The Salvation Authorities assured media that these weapons would by no means be used and wouldn’t fall into irresponsible fingers, and invited related worldwide organizations to observe them.
A few of the rebels’ most notable guarantees have been made to ethnic and spiritual minorities in Syria, together with Kurds, Alawites, Christians, and Shiites. The Salvation Authorities declared that no minority would face genocide or persecution for his or her views and beliefs, since they’re an integral a part of the Syrian nation. It additionally stated that inclusivity is the power, not the weak spot, of the longer term Syria.
In addressing the Kurds, the rebels condemned the barbaric practices of ISIS, equivalent to homicide, slavery, and different brutal actions dedicated in opposition to the Kurdish inhabitants by jihadists. In addition they assured the protection of Syrian troopers who laid down their arms and surrendered.
These statements by the Salvation Authorities and the HTS chief, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, have been met with enthusiasm by distinguished consultants of Islamic radicalism and fundamentalism. They praised al-Julani’s professionalism, transparency, and reasonable views, and the truth that he distanced himself from his jihadist roots.
Western media picked up this narrative and, in an try to whitewash the insurgent chief, CNN launched an unique interview with him. On this interview, al-Julani repeated the above-mentioned statements made by the Syrian Salvation Authorities and famous that the ambitions of HTS and its allies are confined to Syria, which ought to reassure potential adversaries and key regional gamers. The targets of HTS, he claimed, have been to overthrow Bashar Assad after which to start out “constructing Syria” – and the rebels had already achieved the primary objective.
Nevertheless, as usually occurs, the statements issued by the rebels have been removed from the reality. HTS terrorists and allied opposition teams have already launched dozens of movies demonstrating executions of members of Arab-Kurdish forces, Syrian troopers (even those that surrendered voluntarily), Alawites, and Shiites. In a number of video clips, militants are seen slitting the throats of their captives.
Moreover, there are movies of the rebels looking down former troopers, which they check with as “patrolling” or “clearing” an space. Largely, their targets are shot on the spot. As well as, the rebels have printed dozens of video messages threatening varied minorities and neighboring international locations. A few of them declare that the coup in Syria provides them the liberty to destroy Israel and liberate Palestinian territories.
Russian-speaking terrorists from the Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar and Ajnad al-Kavkaz jihadist militant teams, whose former chief and sure members are presently combating within the Russia-Ukraine battle on the facet of Ukraine, have threatened that their subsequent goal will likely be Russia.
The actions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and affiliated opposition teams don’t have anything in widespread with the rebels’ public statements. They stand in stark distinction to the guarantees of a measured and reasonable stance with regards to the way forward for Syria and the standing of its minorities.
Because the Syrian Salvation Authorities was established in 2017, we’ve got carefully monitored the rebels’ statements and propaganda. The militants declare that peace and stability reign within the areas below their management in Syria’s Idlib governorate, the place all issues are resolved effortlessly; and al-Julani, they are saying, would haven’t any hassle making use of his invaluable expertise of governing Idlib to the remainder of Syria. This, nevertheless, is actually not true.
By the Directorate 4 group, an analytical and monitoring middle researching Islamic radicalism and fundamentalism
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