Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham Reveals Its “New” Principles And Objectives

Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS; fromerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) published an infographic showing some of its objectives.

The infographic shows that the first goal of the HTS is to impose an Islamic regime based on Islamic Sharia law and to fight “democracy and secularism” in Syria. HTS also rejected the political negotiations, claiming that its aim is to reproduce the “Syrian regime”.

#HTS reveals its new face with bright colors and bleak future for areas under it’s control: no democracy, secularity or political settlement pic.twitter.com/TM8HFM7zyB

— Nadie Harbieh (@NadieHarbi) 11 July 2017

HTS – in its principles – refused to negotiate about the foreign “Jihadists” in Syria that it calls “Mujahdeen”. HTS has settled tens of thousands of Jihadists from Turkmenistan and China in Idlib city and they are considered an influential force against Syrian groups operating in Idlib such as the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

HTS claimed that it aims to establish “balanced relations with influential parties”. However, HTS didn’t explain what it sees as “an influential party in Syria”. It’s believed that HTS refers to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which are its most important supporters.

On Thursday, HTS issued an official statement forbidding its members and fighters from Takfir –excommunication- any Islamic person or party.

Click to see the full-size image

HTS confirmed in the statement that the excommunication is limited to the official Sharia Council in the HTS. HTS seems to be organizing its ranks and areas similar to what ISIS did before announcing the establishment of the Islamic State and HTS may be working to establish its own Islamic state in Idlib.