IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Observers and politicians believe that by appearing as a moderate person, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS-formerly al-Nusra Front) Abu Mohammad al-Julani tries to show himself as a civilian figure who can control the region and assume a role in the Syrian government.
Recently, al-Julani’s emergence in civilian clothes in the HTS-held areas in Idlib, northwest Syria, has increased, the last of which was when he visited IDP camps north of Idlib.
Al-Julani’s emergence comes while he allegedly distributed aid to the displaced families, a matter considered by observers as an attempt by him to market himself.
For three years, the HTS, led by al-Julani, has tried to show itself as a non-Jihadist organization and has nothing to do with al-Qaeda.
It also showed itself as a moderate combat factions that aims to fight the Syrian government forces, so that to be removed from the terrorism lists of the USA.
In 2020, the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of al-Julani.
“Al-Julani is pretending as he cares for Syria, but people did not forget his organization’s crimes,” it said.
The HTScontrolslarge parts of Idlib and some parts of Hama, Aleppo and Latakia countryside.These areas are run by its civilian wing, the Salvation Government, which controls all life sectors.
He strives beyond Idlib
In early 2021, several areas in Idlib witnessed protests called for falling HTS and its leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani.
The HTS prevents any attempt to found a party or a civilian association for fear of the emergence of disagreed or apart views, which will affect its strict control overn the region, observers say.
Al-Julani aims to make himself a step in the coming Syrian government, the Moscow-based Syrian politician Nasr al-Youssef said.
“Today he is satisfied with what he controls in northwest Syria, but he strives to have more in the future Syria after the inclusive settlement,” he added.
“He threw out all the ideas he had tutored to his simple followers, and he had come to speak with the Americans, the Russians, and with any Syrian active power to secure a piece of the Syrian cake for himself,” he noted.
Al-Youssef pointed out that al-Julani started self-marketing as he is civilized rebel and opponent not more, and denies his relation with extremism despite all his radical actions.
Al-Julani’s appearance contradicts reality
The brigadier Ahmad Rahhal, who lives in Istanbul, believes that al-Julani is trying to play two inside and outside roles.
The inside role is to show himself as a survivor, and the Salvation Government, as he named, helps the IDPs through providing aid for them.
While outside, he tries, via his civilian appearance, to introduce himself to the international community as he is no longer a “terrorist” as he was perceived.
Muhammad al-Shami, a pseudonym for a journalist lives in Idlib, believes that al-Julani seeks to have a civilian administration in the future as Hamas Movement in Gaza Strip.