Yesterday, the leader of the Syrian rebels Abu Mohammad al-Julani (real name, Ahmed Hussein al-Shar’a) made an unnanounced public appearance in Aleppo as he visited the city’s historic Citadel. The commander of the Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Jolani, as he is widely known, also made a statement saying that Christians and Alawites will be protected in territories under rebel command. He added that his group’s flag and insignia will soon change to the Syrian green flag: the same flag used by the Free Syrian Army, and the actual flag of Syria before Syria united with Egypt in 1958.
Jolani’s statements also follow similar public statements he made that ordered his troops to practice tolerance, to exclusively ensure to keep security and stability and to refrain from attacking civilians and their property. He also warned them not to attack civilians and their property. Jolani is on the FBI wanted list for having been the leader of the Al-Qaeda affiliated militant group, Al-Nusra Front. He rebranded the group by distancing it from al-Qaeda’s Islamic fascism and is now working to transition it into a legitimate political entity. He also denies he ever committed terrorist attacks outside Syria and says that many Syrians like him had no other option but to join Islamic groups in order for them to pick up arms against the government.
HTS, which is the largest rebel group in the north of Syria, is leading a successful offensive against the Syrian Army and is rapidly taking over territory across Syria. Syrian rebels are currently fighting for the city of Hama in a protracted battle against the Syrian Army and their Iranian and Russian allies. Kurdish forces have taken over Kurdish neighbourhoods in Aleppo to guarantee security for the Kurds, and are now clashing against the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army in Manbij and other areas.
Newsroom
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