Category: Jabhat Fataḥ al-Shām

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

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

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

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

December 13, 2024: The commander Ahmad al-Shar’a’s blessing to the Syrian people

December 11, 2024: Meeting between the Administration of Military Operations and the Southern Operations Room. Among the latter were the leader Ahmad al-Awda, Abu Hamza from Busra al-Sham, and Ali al-Sabah al-Muqdad, Ali Bash, and Muayad Al-Aqraa, Abu Hayyan from the town of Hayt

December 8, 2024: Maghrib prayer in the Umayyad Mosque in the presence of al-Fatih Abu Muhammad Al-Jawlani, the leader of the liberation of Syria

“A Speech By the Commander-in-Chief of the Administration of Military Operations From the Great Umayyad Mosque In the Capital Damascus”

The commander Ahmad al-Shar’a from inside the Umayyad Mosque in the center of the Syrian capital, Damascus

Entrance to the Umayyad Mosque

The Commander Ahmad al-Shar’a prostrates to God in thanks upon his arrival in Damascus

“My Free Revolutionary Brothers”

December 7, 2024: To All military forces in the city of Damascus, it is strictly forbidden to approach public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former Prime Minister until they are officially handed over, and it is also forbidden to fire bullets in the air

Congratulations to the Chargers of Homs

“We Are Moving Towards Victory, God Willing”

“To Our Heroic Revolutionaries and To the Soldiers and Officers of the Assad Regime”

“To My Free Revolutionary Brothers”

December 6, 2024: CNN Interviews Abū Muḥammad al-Jawlānī

December 5, 2024: We congratulate the people of Hamah for the victory: The commander Ahmed al-Shara’a

“Message To The Iraqi Government”

To the People of Hamah

December 4, 2024: “To the People Of Muhradaḥ City”

The Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani among the people of Aleppo during a visit to the city’s citadel

November 30, 2024: “Oh Heroic Revolutionaries and Free Mujahidin”

November 29, 2024: “Recommendations For Soldiers In the Field”

From inside the operations room, in the company of the leader Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani

Monitoring the progress of our military operations in the city of Hama by the operations commanders

November 28, 2024: The General Command of Military Operations supervises the course of the aggression response operation

September 11, 2024: The commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani visits the Inghimasi Battalion, which is a part of the Armored Brigade

September 5, 2024: Coverage of the speech of the leader Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani

From the opening activities of the Idlib Book Fair: “Revolutionary Play”

Opening of Idlib International Book Fair 2024 in the presence of the liberated areas leadership and governmental and academic figures at the House of Culture and Knowledge in Idlib, with the participation of a large crowd

Scenes from the opening of the third edition of the Idlib Book Fair

Opening events of the Idlib Book Fair – 2024, in the presence of the liberated areas leadership and government figures

August 17, 2024: A tour for the Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani of the Police College departments, accompanied by the Minister of Interior and the college official

The Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani visits the Police College officers and thanks them for their efforts in the Martyr Khalil al-Ba’ir course

June 25, 2024: The notables of Quneitra Governorate and the occupied Golan greeted the Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Adha

May 16, 2024: The liberated leadership’s meeting with the notables of Idlib city to talk about the latest developments

To discuss the latest developments: a meeting between the people and notables of the city of Idlib with Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani

May 15, 2024: A meeting of the people and notables of the liberated areas with the leadership of the liberated areas to discuss recent developments and talk about the current reality and future vision

A meeting between the liberated leadership and the notables of the liberated areas to talk about the latest developments

May 9, 2024: Visit of the Brother Leader Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani to Dar al-Wahi al-Sharif and His Meeting With the administrative Cadres

May 7, 2024: Jawlani and HTS’s military leadership honors brigades and forces participating in recent military raids

April 17, 2024: The visit of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani to Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razaq al-Mahdi

April 12, 2024: The Ministry of Interior congratulated the leadership of the liberated areas, in the presence of the heads of the General Shura Council and the Salvation Government

Displaced notables greeted the liberated areas leadership, in the presence of the heads of the General Shura Council and the Salvation Government

April 11, 2024: Regional administration officials, accompanied by a number of notables, greet the liberated areas leadership, the ministers of government, and the General Shura Council on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr

On the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr… the presidency of the Syrian Tribal and Clans Council, accompanied by a number of notables, reiterates the leadership of the liberated areas, the presidency of the government and the council

Congratulations to the presidency of the General reconcilitation Council, accompanied by a number of families and notables, to the leadership of the liberated areas, the presidency of the government, and the General Shura Council

An elite group of academics greeted the liberated areas leadership, in the presence of the heads of the General Shura Council, and the Salvation Government

April 10, 2024: Migrant notables greet the liberated leadership and the heads of the Shura Council and the Salvation Government on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr

In the presence of the Minister of Justice, a group of judges in the Ministry of Justice congratulated the liberated areas leadership and the heads of the Shura Council and the Salvation Government on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr

Greetings from a group of students and preachers to the leadership of the liberated areas, the heads of the Shura Council, and the Salvation Government, in the presence of the Minister of Endowments

In the presence of the commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahim ‘Atun, the commander of the military wing, Abu al-Hasan al-Hamwi, and the mujahidin of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham performed the Eid al-Fitr prayer

April 8, 2024: The commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani meets with the leaders of the brigades of Abu Bakr al-Sidiq, ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan, Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan, Ja’afar bin Abu Talib, Sa’id bin Zayd, the ‘Abd Allah bin Rawaha Regiment, the Red Bandanas Brigades, and the Popular Resistance Brigades to discuss military developments

The commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani meets with the leaders of the ‘Ali bin Abu Talib, Hamza bin ‘Abd al-Mutalib, Talhah bin Ubayd Allah, ‘Amr bin al-‘Aas, Abu Ubaydah bin al-Jarrah, and Khaled bin al-Walid Brigades to discuss military developments

April 5, 2024: The Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani bids farewell to the martyr Shaykh Abu Mariya al-Qahtani

April 4, 2024: The commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani meets with the leadership of the military wing to talk about military developments

     

March 30, 2024: The liberated areas leadership meets with the top students in the colleges and institutes of Idlib University in an open interactive meeting

An interactive meeting that brought together the liberated areas leadership with the top students in the colleges and institutes of the University of Idlib

The leadership of the liberated areas, the Minister of Higher Education, and the President of the University of Idlib meet in an interactive meeting with the top students in the colleges and institutes of the University of Idlib

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

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

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin


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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To inquire about a translation for this release for a fee email: [email protected]

New release from Fursān al-Shām Media: "Story Of A Mujāhid Who Threatened To Quit His Unit Before His Martyrdom"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

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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"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

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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"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

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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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To inquire about a translation for this release for a fee email: [email protected]

New release from Shaykh Abū Muḥammad al-Maqdisī: "Question and Answer About the Fighting Happening Between the Factions"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

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
To inquire about a translation for this release for a fee email: [email protected]