Syria, finally liberated from the tyrannical grip of Bashar al-Assad, now stands at a precarious crossroads. The atrocities committed during his reign are slowly coming to light, revealing a landscape of unimaginable suffering. Former prisoners, some held for decades, emerge from the depths of Assad’s prisons, their identities fractured, their memories fragmented. Children born within those confines have never experienced the world beyond their prison walls, while torture chambers and overflowing morgues bear silent witness to the systematic brutality of the regime. While the end of Assad’s reign marks a pivotal moment, the path forward for Syria remains fraught with uncertainty and enormous challenges.
The nation is deeply scarred, both physically and psychologically. Cities lie in ruins, infrastructure is decimated, and the very fabric of society has been torn apart. Rebuilding Syria will be a Herculean task, spanning decades and requiring substantial international support. The transition government, headed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has embarked on a charm offensive, particularly targeting the European Union, eager for a resolution after years of grappling with the Syrian refugee crisis. However, beneath the veneer of moderation lies a deeply troubling reality. The question of HTS’s true intentions hangs heavily over the nascent phase of Syria’s reconstruction.
While HTS played a role in the fight against Assad, their vision of a ”free Syria” is far from synonymous with democratic ideals. This group, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and several other Western nations, has documented links to al-Qaeda. Their leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as al-Julani, has attempted to distance himself from this extremist past, adopting civilian attire and offering reassurances of safety and security. In interviews, he emphasizes access to education for all children and highlights the current high percentage of female university students. However, his rhetoric often clashes with his actions, raising serious doubts about the sincerity of his pronouncements.
Al-Julani’s responses on the issue of mandatory veiling, a key indicator of the group’s commitment to women’s rights, remain evasive. His refusal to be photographed alongside an unveiled woman and his initial reluctance to shake hands with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during a recent visit have further fueled concerns about his true intentions. Beyond these symbolic gestures, the proposed changes to the school curriculum, replacing patriotic references with religious ones, and the appointment of individuals implicated in past atrocities to key government positions paint a disturbing picture of the future under HTS rule. The evidence suggests a clear divergence between al-Julani’s public pronouncements and the actions being taken by his administration.
These actions speak volumes about the underlying ideology of HTS, an ideology that, despite their efforts to rebrand themselves, appears to be fundamentally at odds with democratic principles and human rights. While al-Julani presents a carefully crafted image of moderation and inclusivity, the underlying reality suggests a very different trajectory for Syria. The appointment of hardline figures to positions of power, the proposed curriculum changes, and al-Julani’s personal conduct all point towards a future where religious dogma could supersede individual liberties and where the rights of women and minorities might be severely curtailed.
The future of Syria remains uncertain, but the international community, particularly the West, must not be swayed by the carefully curated image presented by HTS. A thorough and critical assessment of the group’s actions and appointments is crucial to understanding the true nature of the emerging power structure. Prematurely embracing HTS, based solely on their rhetoric, could have dire consequences for the Syrian people and undermine the very principles of democracy and human rights that the international community seeks to uphold. The focus must remain on ensuring a truly free and democratic Syria, not simply a Syria free from Assad, but a Syria free for all its citizens. Ignoring the warning signs now could lead to a future even more bleak than the past from which Syria has just emerged.
