HTS Leader Al-Jolani Pledges to Disband Rebel Factions, Form National Army, and Lift Sanctions in Syria

Dec 18, 2024, 08:20 PM

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has announced plans to disband Syria's rebel factions, integrating their members into a national army. This pledge comes as al-Jolani, who has emerged as Syria's de facto leader following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, calls for the lifting of international sanctions imposed on the country. Al-Jolani emphasized that Syria will not mirror Afghanistan's tribal governance model, asserting that the nation possesses a distinct societal structure. He also advocated for women's education and expressed a commitment to maintaining Syria as a non-threatening entity in the region. During a recent meeting with British diplomats, he requested that the UK remove HTS from its list of terrorist organizations, arguing that the group has changed and should be recognized as part of Syria's new governance framework.