My new 92-page booklet has been published: “The Age of Political Jihadism: A Study of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham”

Abstract:

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group previously linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and to al-Qaeda, has evolved in ways that challenge accepted views of “jihadism.” Now ruling over territory in Syria’s northern Idlib and western Aleppo governorates, it functions more like a government than a nonstate actor, and HTS leader Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani is seeking the group’s removal from the U.S. State Department’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. But HTS is hardly anodyne. The group still espouses extremist beliefs that glamorize terrorism abroad, and its fighters fire rockets into civilian areas controlled by the Assad regime. Moreover, HTS hosts other designated groups in its territory, including Jamaat Ansar al-Islam, Katibat Imam al-Bukhari, and Katibat al-Tawhid wal Jihad.

In this thought-provoking Policy Focus, illustrated with photographs of HTS personalities and personnel, jihadism expert Aaron Y. Zelin digs deep into the group’s past before reckoning with the implications of Jawlani’s request. Whatever the U.S. decision, he suggests, political jihadism is here to stay.

Click here to read the 92-page booklet.

Early Reviews:

A Timeline of Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani’s Appearances

March 12, 2024: In the presence and participation of the Syrian Tribal and Clans Council…a meeting of the revolutionary forces and civil society activists with the leadership of the liberated areas to discuss the recent events

The liberated areas leadership meets with public institutions and revolutionary actors to discuss recent events

Conclusion of the meeting of revolutionary forces, civil society activists, and public institutions with the leadership of the liberated areas

Reviewing the outcomes and expressing opinions during the meeting of the revolutionary forces, civil activists, and public institutions with the leadership of the liberated areas

Attendees’ participation in a meeting that brought together the liberated areas leadership with revolutionary forces, civil activists, and public institutions

Revolutionary forces, public institutions, and civil society activists meet with the liberated areas leadership to discuss recent events

Revolutionary forces, public institutions, and civil society activists meet with the liberated areas leadership to discuss recent events

Participation of families, notables, and civil society activists in the meeting of the revolutionary forces with the leadership of the liberated areas

A meeting that brought together revolutionary forces, public institutions, and civil society activists with the leadership of the liberated areas to discuss recent events

From the meeting of the military revolutionary forces from the al-Fatah al-Mubin factions, the Shura Council, the tribes, judges, public institutions, the region’s administrations and their notables, civil society activists, academics, and with the liberated areas leadership to discuss the latest events

The commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani’s visit to the military wing of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and inciting the mujahidin to give their best in the month of goodness, Ramadan

March 10, 2024: In the presence of the leadership of the liberated city and the Minister of Endowments, Call and Guidance, the opening of the Zaid bin Haritha Mosque in the city of Idlib, which is considered one of the largest mosques in the liberated city

In the presence of a number of people, Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani participates in the opening of the Zayd Bin Haritha Mosque in the city of Idlib

In the presence of the liberated leadership, the Ministry of Endowments, Da’wah and Guidance opens the Zayd Bin Haritha Mosque in the city of Idlib

In the presence of the liberated leadership, official figures, and ulama students…the opening of the Zayd bin Haritha Mosque in the city of Idlib, which is one of the largest mosques in the liberated areas

A meeting of an elite group of academics, in the presence of the Prime Minister of the Salvation Government, the Minister of Higher Education, and the President of Idlib University, with Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, to talk about the latest developments

March 5, 2024: The leadership of the liberated areas meets with notables and elites of the liberated areas to listen to their demands and talk about the latest developments

The most prominent things that came from the speech of Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani before the notables and people of the liberated areas

Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, the General Shura Council, and the Syrian Salvation Government met with a number of notables and elites from the liberated areas to receive their demands

A meeting that brought together the leadership of the liberated area, the General Shura Council, and the Salvation Government with a group of civil society representatives in the liberated areas in an open dialogue session to listen to the demands made by those present on behalf of the people in the liberated areas. The liberated areas leadership made many promises to respond to the demands made by those present and to hear recommendations that would help improve the security, economic, and living conditions in the region.

To discuss the reality of the liberated areas after the recent developments, a meeting brings together Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, the General Shura Council, and the Syrian Salvation Government with a number of notables and elites of the liberated areas

In the presence of the Syrian Tribal and Clans Council…a meeting between the leadership of the liberated region, accompanied by the General Shura Council and the Syrian Salvation Government, with a number of notables, elites, and academics from the liberated north to listen to their demands and discuss the latest developments

The leadership of the liberated areas, accompanied by the General Shura Council and the Syrian Salvation Government, meets with a number of notables and elites of the liberated areas to receive their demands and talk about the latest developments

February 18, 2024: The military wing’s session with the liberated areas leadership to find out the latest developments in the field

February 13, 2024: The visit of the commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani and Shaykh Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Shami, with the people of the town of Tal Hadya

February 1, 2024: The Liberated Leadership Met With Members of the Shūrā Council and the Salvation Government To Talk About the Latest Security Issue

Visit of the Brother Leader Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani to Dar al-Wahi al-Sharif and his meeting with the administrative cadres

January 31, 2024: The Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani’s Visit To the Military Commander Abu Muslim Ifis

January 28, 2024: A fiery speech by Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani in the town of Taoum

January 27, 2024: The security situation in the region was greatly infiltrated by all the enemies of the revolution, and the security establishment was able to control security to a very high level, and there is no country in the world that has a 100% security rate. A breach may occur and the security cell is seized after the first operation, but in other areas the cell is working. One hundred operations until its members are arrested.

The departure of Abu Muslim Afis, Abu Usamah Munir, Abu Khatab al-Hasakawi, and Abu al-Qaqa’ Fawaz after the decision of the Supreme Committee and their meeting with Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani and Shaykh Abu Al-Hasan al-Hamawi

December 27, 2023: In the presence of the leadership of the liberated leadership, the Salvation Government reviews its work and achievements during the year 2023

Participation of the Syrian Tribal and Clans Council in a conference of the Syrian Salvation Government entitled: “Government Works Between Visions and Achievements,” to present the government’s work and achievements during the year 2023

December 23, 2023: A general session for cadres of the Sharia Guidance Department in the presence of the Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani

December 21, 2023: Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani meets with the leadership of the military wing to discuss the escalation of the criminal regime against our people in the liberated areas

December 6, 2023: The liberated areas leadership meets with academic elites to discuss the educational reality at the University of Idlib

To discuss and develop the educational reality at the University of Idlib, the liberated areas leadership meets with academic elites at the university

The liberated areas leadership meets with academic elites to discuss the educational reality at the University of Idlib

October 25, 2023: Under the auspices of the Ministry of Endowments, Dawa, and Guidance, a forum for imams and preachers was held with the al-Fatah al-Mubin Operations Room, entitled “The Military Reality in the Liberated Areas.”

Under the title “The Military Reality in the Liberated Areas,” the Ministry of Endowments, Dawa, and Guidance Held a Forum For Imams and Preachers With the al-Fatah al-Mubin Operations Room in the Presence of the Leadership of the Liberated Area

October 17, 2023: To Our People In Gaza

October 8, 2023: The Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani inspects the conditions of the injured in hospitals after the criminal regime’s bombing campaign on cities and towns

A tour by Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani to shelter centers for displaced people following the criminal regime’s barbaric bombing of the liberated areas

From inside the military operations room, Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani follows the distribution of fire on the targeted enemy points with missiles and artillery

September 4, 2023: Meeting of the General Command With the Notables and Dignitaries of the Villages and Towns of Jabal al-Summaq

August 22, 2023: The leadership of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham honoring the mujahidin of the Red Bandanas who carried out the Nabi Yunis summit operation

August 21, 2023: In the presence of Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani honoring ceremony for the outstanding students of the basic and secondary education certificates

New release from al-Fursān Media: "Journey of Patience and Persistence Series- From Khurāsān to al-Shām #1"


Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: al-Fursān Media — Journey of Patience and Persistence Series- From Khurāsān to al-Shām #1
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New release from Fursān al-Shām Media: "Story Of A Mujāhid Who Threatened To Quit His Unit Before His Martyrdom"

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Meet our brother Sayfullah Jab’ar Al Turki who emigrated from Turkey to carry out Jihad in the cause of Allah in Syria. I don’t know too much about him but I will narrate what I saw and heard from Sayfullah within the time that I had spent with him. Before coming to Syria , he had told me about the Jahil life he lived before he got guidance from Allah SWT. He used to be involved in gang fights and other evil things while chasing the Dunya. Alhamduli’Llah he started practising the Deen and mended his ways.

Sayfullah started to realise the commandment of his Deen which he had to fulfil which is Jihad and to come to the defence of his brothers and sisters in Syria. I got the opportunity to meet Sayfullah when he joined my brigade within JFS, upon meeting him I recognised he had an injury to his head with some part of his skull missing, later he told me he sustained the injury in a previous battle he participated in.

After getting to know Sayfullah I found him to be someone determined to participate in battle even so in the Inghimashi role (front line stormers). When he was not taking part in battles I would find him occupying himself in the remembrance of Allah and increasing his knowledge by reading books. One thing that amazed me of Sayfullah was his long night prayers he would engage in every night, he would also advise other Mujahideen to engage in this worship and would say to them that: “this is your key to steadfastness on the battlefield.”

Just after Russia intervened in the Syria conflict, the Shia mercenaries also began a large scaled offensive from South Aleppo in an attempt to reach Kafarya & Fua, our unit was sent back to repel the attacks and launch counter attacks to regain the areas which we had lost. It was in the upcoming battles that Sayfullah would be martyred. The first counter attack we launched was a success and gained a few areas with few casualties Alhamdulilah, Sayfullah was not pleased as he was not chosen for the Inghimashi role he very much desired as he was put in a secondary position.

But he remained patient as he knew there would be an upcoming battle shortly within a few days. Preparations were made and everyone knew what role they would take up for this battle. Sayfullah was infuriated as he again found out that he would not be filling the Inghimashi spot once again, this time he couldn’t hold his anger and decided he would approach the commander to either place him in the role or quit and leave the brigade.

Sayfullah approached me to be the mediator between the two, reason was he only spoke Turkish and English and our commander spoke Arabic only. Our commander told me the reason for Sayfullah not being selected for the Inghimashi role. It was that he knew little Arabic and this could effect the squad in battle, it was hard for me to keep Sayfullah calm even though I advised him many times to remain patient and that he would get the opportunity soon. But his determination to be picked was not going to stop him as he told me to translate to the commander that if he wasn’t selected for this battle he would pack his bags and leave.

Seeing his persistence and courage the commander chose to switch him to the Inghimashi role. Sayfullah was delighted and now became impatient for the battle to begin. Me and Sayfullah shared the same room in our base and would spend time together as his poor Arabic and serious attitude character would keep him away from socializing with others. Every night before sleep we would engage in discussion and I once posed a question to him: “what is the thing you desire most in this world?”, he replied to live the rest of his life in Jihad and to go from one battle to the other and finally be martyred in the cause of Allah.

As a few days remained for the upcoming battle during the night Sayfullah and I would speak about the hereafter to raise each others Emaan, unlike other brothers he wouldn’t talk about Jannah or the Hoor Al Ayn but rather he would fear the hell fire and would just yearn to have himself saved from it. Moving on to the battle ,Alhamdulilah, it went well as we captured all the areas we were assigned to capture except one village. The Shia allegedly had an ambush set-up there as one of the commanders was observing things.

We decided to hold the lines we had captured and make Ribaat (Guarding a station). This Ribaat was going to be demanding as enemy artillery were raining down upon us and our positions had no defences. It was on the third day Sayfullah received his martyrdom (May Allah accept him), it happened when the Shia mercenaries made an advancement in an attempt to recapture the areas we gained, as they had advanced from two axes they laid a siege on the brothers. The brave Mujahideen fought to their last breaths and refused to surrender.

Sayfullah was hit by a sniper as so was the case with a few other brothers, injured brothers managed to sneak out crawling while escaping enemy fire, the bodies of the martyrs were left behind as it was impossible to retrieve them. Alhamdulilah, no one was captured alive. Even though we suffered some casualties, this was insignificant compared to what the Shia mercenaries suffered in the previous days and battles. We ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to accept Sayfullah Jab’ar Al Turki and all the other brothers who fell as martyrs alongside him and to grant quick recovery to the injured ones Amongst them. Ameen.

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New release from Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām: "Formation of Hayy'at Taḥrīr al-Shām"

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Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: Hayy’at Taḥrīr al-Shām: “Formation of Hayy’at Taḥrīr al-Shām”
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New release from Jabhat Fataḥ al-Shām’s Dr. Sāmī al ‘Uraydī: "The Duty to Stand Up! In the Face of Thieves Stealing the Fruits of Jihād"

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Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: Dr. Sāmī al ‘Uraydī: “The Duty to Stand Up! In the Face of Thieves Stealing the Fruits of Jihād”
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New release from Shaykh Abū Muḥammad al-Maqdisī: "Question and Answer About the Fighting Happening Between the Factions"

Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: Shaykh Abū Muḥammad al-Maqdisī: “Question and Answer About the Fighting Happening Between the Factions”
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Source: Telegram
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