Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) criticizes US classification
ISTANBUL, Turkey (North Press) – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) called on the United States to reconsider its classification of HTS as a violator of religious freedom, and claimed that these Western classifications “lack the truth.”
HTS official Taqi al-Din Omar called on Washington to reconsider “to see who practices all kinds of genocide with various internationally banned weapons.”
Omar believes that this classification is political, and that HTS considers that Western classifications lack truth and are not based on facts or tangible evidence.
The US State Department listed HTS and the Islamic State (ISIS), in addition to other entities, as organizations of particular concern to them.
This came in a statement by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in which he announced the inclusion of a number of countries, including Iran, in addition to a number of militant organizations, on the list of violators of religious freedom.
A source from HTS told North Press that the United States always exploits radical organizations to achieve their interests.
Obeida Abu Omar, a journalist specializing in Turkish and international affairs, said that the American pressure on HTS is not great, and America does not consider it as similar to ISIS in terms of danger.
“Turkish reports confirm that HTS is heading towards secularism, and this may contribute in the future to changing the organization’s classification in Washington,” he added.
He pointed out that Turkey has no options but to push to improve the image of HTS in front of Washington, and Washington knows that Ankara is making a great effort to improve the organization’s international image.
Political analyst Omar Huseyinoglu said that the American statements come in the context of confirming its position on religious freedoms as a state of democracy and freedom.
It aims to push HTS to dissolve itself, join the moderate factions, lay down their weapons, and resort to a political solution, according to Huseyinoglu.
He expressed his belief that this does not affect Turkey’s position, because it is working in this direction with its European and American allies; that is, to make the organization dissolve itself and join the Syrian National Army, because it sees this as protection for Idlib.
He pointed out that America doesn’t target the organization, nor will it do so; rather, it targets specific individuals listed on the dangerous persons lists.
“America will not increase the frequency of targeting individuals or leaders of the organization during this period, because it needs the organization in order to strike the Syrian regime and Iran,” he added.
Earlier, the Rewards for Justice Program in the US State Department allocated $10 million as a reward for those who provide correct information about Abu Muhammad al-Julani, former leader of the al-Nusra Front.