Al-Nusra Front (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham)

Executive Summary:

Al-Nusra Front is an internationally sanctioned terrorist group, one of the strongest insurgent groups in Syria, and a formerly open al-Qaeda affiliate that seeks to replace the Assad regime in Syria with an Islamic state. Operating as part of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) coalition since January 2017,Thomas Joscelyn, “Al Qaeda and allies announce ‘new entity’ in Syria,” Long War Journal, January 28, 2017, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/01/al-qaeda-and-allies-announce-new-entity-in-syria.php. al-Nusra Front stands accused of serving as a base for global al-Qaeda operations.Patricia Zengerle and Mark Hosenball, “U.S. Spy Chiefs Say Number of Foreign Militants in Syria Rises,” Reuters, January 29, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/29/us-usa-security-syria-idUSBREA0S1XL20140129. In the years since its formation in 2011, the Front has gradually amassed and maintained control of territory throughout Syria.Christiaan Triebert and Rao Komar, “Jabhat Fateh al-Sham’s Income and Resources,” Hate Speech International, August 15, 2016, https://www.hate-speech.org/jabhat-fateh-al-shams-income-and-resources-an-open-source-investigation/#fn-2879-45. As of late 2019, the Front controlled or administered all of the Syrian opposition-held parts of Idlib, north Hama, and west Aleppo.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 6th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 6, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/06/syrian-war-daily-6th-of-january-2019/#more-10014; “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Takes Over Idlib After Ceasefire Deal,” Asharq al-Awsat (London), January 10, 2019, https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1540261/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-takes-over-idlib-after-ceasefire-deal; Joško Barć, “Syrian War Daily – 10th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 10, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/10/syrian-war-daily-10th-of-january-2019/#more-10029. By early 2020, Idlib was the only Syrian province still under rebel control.Zulfiqar Ali, “Syria: Who's in control of Idlib?,” BBC News, February 18, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-45401474.

Originally al-Qaeda’s official affiliate in Syria, al-Nusra Front has since claimed to have dissociated entirely from the international terrorist organization, despite the Front’s long and proven history of serving as its loyal affiliate. On July 28, 2016, al-Qaeda released an audio statement giving the Front formal permission to break ties if the link was “conflicting with [the Front’s] unity and working as one body.”Lisa Barrington and Suleiman Al-Khalidi, “Al Qaeda tells Syrian branch Nusra Front it can drop links,” Reuters, July 28, 2016, http://news.trust.org/item/20160728110801-ogl17; Cole Bunzel, “Abandoning al-Qaida: Tahrir al-Sham and the Concerns of Sami al-‘Uraydi,” Jihadica, May 12, 2017, http://www.jihadica.com/abandoning-al-qaida/. Al-Nusra Front leader Abu Muhammad al-Golani declared a formal split from al-Qaeda after thanking “our brothers, the commanders of al-Qa’eda...” and announcing the group’s name change from Jabhat al-Nusra, Arabic for “the Victory Front”, to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, “the Conquest of the Levant Front.”Thomas Joscelyn, “Analysis: Al Nusrah Front Rebrands Itself as Jabhat Fath Al Sham,” Long War Journal, July 28, 2016, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/07/analysis-al-nusrah-front-rebrands-itself-as-jabhat-fath-al-sham.php. Analysts had long surmised that a break from al-Qaeda, however artificial, could enable al-Nusra Front to attract more funding from Gulf states like Qatar, consolidate local support, and present itself as a legitimate insurgent group in Syria.Bassem Mroue, “AP EXPLAINS: Why Syria’s al-Qaida may be considering a split,” Associated Press, July 27, 2016, https://apnews.com/d10d759d35824b70b47501d85f0ff8c3; Lisa Barrington and Suleiman Al-Khalidi, “Al Qaeda tells Syrian branch Nusra Front it can drop links,” Reuters, July 28, 2016, http://news.trust.org/item/20160728110801-ogl17.

To these ends, al-Nusra Front announced on January 28, 2017, that it would dissolve and be subsumed under a new, larger Syrian Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (“Assembly for the Liberation of the Levant” or HTS).“Tahrir al-Sham: Al-Qaeda’s Latest Incarnation in Syria,” BBC News, February 12, 2017, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38934206. HTS’s initial leader was Hashim al-Sheikh, the former leader of fellow Islamist faction Ahrar al-Sham.“Tahrir al-Sham: Al-Qaeda’s latest incarnation in Syria,” BBC News, February 12, 2017, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38934206. While al-Nusra Front continues to operate under the HTS name, Sheikh resigned from his post on October 1, 2017, and the group has suffered dozens of defections.“الجولاني قائداً مؤقتاً لهيئة "تحرير الشام".. وهذا مصير قائدها السابق,” Internet Archive, October 2, 2017, https://web.archive.org/web/20180119234654/http://www.huffpostarabi.com/2017/10/02/story_n_18159996.html; “Weekly Conflict Summary September 28 – October 4, 2017,” Carter Center, October 4, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.09.28-10.04.pdf. Analysts estimated that by September 2017 HTS had reverted back to its core of about 10,000 fighters, most of them belonging to al-Nusra Front.Aron Lund, “A Jihadist Breakup in Syria,” Foreign Affairs, September 15, 2017, https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/syria/2017-09-15/jihadist-breakup-syria. By the end of 2018, HTS had an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 fighters.Zulfiqar Ali, “Syria: Who’s in control in Idlib?,” BBC News, February 18, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-45401474; Mariya Petkova, “After the Sochi agreement, HTS is facing internal divisions,” Al Jazeera, September 27, 2018, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/turkey-idlib-180924191442969.html. By the end of 2021, al-Nusra Front had an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 fighters.“Country Reports on Terrorism 2020,” U.S. Department of State, December 2021, 295, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Country_Reports_on_Terrorism_2020.pdf.

For years before the announced split, however, Golani had reaffirmed his group’s allegiance to al-Qaeda. Al-Nusra Front’s founder, the late ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, claimed he dispatched Golani and others—then al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) fighters—into Syria in 2011 in order to exploit the power vacuum stemming from the country's civil war.Thomas Joscelyn, “Al Qaeda in Iraq, Al Nusrah Front Emerge as Rebranded Single Entity,” Long War Journal, April 9, 2013, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/the_emir_of_al_qaeda.php#ixzz3Mw15S2jb. The United States confirms this claim, maintaining that al-Nusra Front was formed by AQI to “hijack the struggles of the legitimate Syrian opposition to further its own extremist ideology.”“Treasury Sanctions Al-Nusrah Front Leadership in Syria and Militias Supporting the Asad Regime,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 11, 2012, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1797.aspx. In April 2013, after Baghdadi unilaterally claimed to subsume al-Nusra Front into AQI, now known as ISIS, Golani broke ties with Baghdadi and reaffirmed his allegiance to al-Qaeda central.“Syria Crisis: Al-Nusra Pledges Allegiance to Al-Qaeda,” BBC News, April 10, 2013, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-22095099.

Despite the group’s origins in Iraq and historical deference to al-Qaeda, al-Nusra Front has branded itself as a native rebel group with foreign experience. In Syria, the group continues to profess its goal of toppling the Assad regime and establishing an Islamic state in its place, albeit incrementally. Trying to consolidate local support, al-Nusra Front has adopted military and outreach strategies from al-Qaeda-linked jihadist Abu Musab al-Suri: participating in numerous Syrian-based coalitions and collaborating with other Islamist, and occasionally secular, rebel groups to carry out joint attacks against Assad forces.Hassan Hassan, “A Jihadist Blueprint for Hearts and Minds Is Gaining Traction in Syria,” National (Abu Dhabi), March 4, 2014, http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/a-jihadist-blueprint-for-hearts-and-minds-is-gaining-traction-in-syria. Al-Nusra Front, and then HTS, also operated a civil administrative wing, called the “Public Services Administration,” which provided basic administrative needs and security and governed several rebel-controlled towns under various forms of Islamic law.Agnes Favier, Luigui Narbone, and Virginie Collombier, Inside Wars: Local Dynamics of Conflicts in Syria and LibyaFt these (Fiesole: European University Institute, 2016), 13-14http://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/41644/Inside%20wars_2016.pdf. On November 2, 2017, HTS announced the formation of the “Salvation Government,” a civilian-run administrative and political body in Idlib chaired by Mohammad al-Sheikh. HTS reportedly handed over control of its Public Services Administration to the Salvation Government.Sam Heller, “Turkey Through the Syrian Looking Glass,” Century Foundation, November 28, 2017, https://tcf.org/content/commentary/turkey-syrian-looking-glass/; “شاهد .. الإعلان عن تشكيل حكومة الإنقاذ في إدلب برئاسة"محمد الشيخ,” YouTube video, 16:29, posted by “ نداء سوريا,” November 2, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5orACzyc_G8. While the two maintain they are separate from each other, HTS has described its relationship to the Salvation Government as a partnership. HTS has subsequently sought to moderate its image in a bid to convince locals and international actors it can be a responsible partner in governance.Kareem Fahim, “Former al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria seeks to soften its brand,” Washington Post, January 2, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/01/02/syria-idlib-hts-qaeda-militants/. To present itself as a legitimate alternative to the Syrian government, HTS has sought to coopt Syrian tribal leaders to build cooperative relationships against the Syrian government.Mohammed Hardan, “HTS finesses tribes in Syria’s Idlib,” Al-Monitor, May 26, 2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/05/hts-finesses-tribes-syrias-idlib. HTS has also reframed al-Nusra Front’s violent conflict with ISIS as legitimate counterterrorism operations.Aaron Y. Zelin, “Jihadi ‘Counterterrorism:’ Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Versus the Islamic State,” CTC Sentinel, February 2023, https://ctc.westpoint.edu/jihadi-counterterrorism-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-versus-the-islamic-state/.

Although the group has succeeded in embedding itself in the Syrian insurgency, al-Nusra Front remains committed to employing terrorist tactics in order to secure an Islamic state. Since its founding, al-Nusra Front has conducted formal military campaigns, assassinations, hostage takings, and ‘lone wolf’ operations, including suicide bombings. By June 2013, the Front had claimed responsibility for 57 out of then-70 suicide attacks during Syria’s civil war.Bill Roggio, “Suicide Bombers Kill 14 in Damascus,” Long War Journal, June 11, 2013, http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2013/06/suicide_bombers_kill_14_in_dam.php. The group has since continued to carry out its signature suicide bombings in Syria and expanded its operations into neighboring Lebanon after Hezbollah joined the war in mid-2013. “Nusra Front, Syrian rebels attack government forces near Aleppo, gain ground,” Reuters, April 2, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUSKCN0WZ0O5; Al Jazeera, “Nusra Front claims Lebanon suicide attack,” Internet Archive, January 11, 2015, https://web.archive.org/web/20150308041447/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2015/01/fatal-blast-lebanon-ends-lull-attacks-2015110194313121358.html.

In Lebanon, al-Nusra Front has sought to stoke sectarian divisions with suicide bombings against civilian centers like Beirut and Hezbollah strongholds like Hermel, along Lebanon’s northeastern border with Syria.“Nusra Front attacks Hezbollah outposts near Arsal,” Daily Star (Beirut), June 2, 2015, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Jun-02/300248-nusra-front-attacks-hezbollah-outposts-near-arsal.ashx; “Jabhat al-Nusra claims deadly Lebanon bombing,” Al Jazeera, February 1, 2014, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/02/al-nusra-front-claims-deadly-lebanon-bombing-201421221112955650.html; Now, “Bombings in Lebanon since 2011,” Internet Archive, September 1, 2016, , https://web.archive.org/web/20170201171601/http://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/reportsfeatures/535852-vehicle-explosions-in-lebanon-since-2011. Al-Nusra Front also employs arbitrary detention and torture in order to silence its critics and opposition activists. According to a Human Rights Watch report, HTS detained more than 184 people in Idlib in the last three months of 2018.“Syria: Arrests, Torture by Armed Group,” Human Rights Watch, January 28, 2019, https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/01/28/syria-arrests-torture-armed-group. Other human rights organizations accuse HTS of arresting at least 622 people between January 2017 and August 2019.Alaa Nassar, “Hijacking of the “freedom revolution”: HTS imprisons activists in northwest Syria (interactive map),” Syria Direct, September 15, 2019, https://syriadirect.org/news/hijacking-of-the-%E2%80%9Cfreedom-revolution%E2%80%9D-hts-imprisons-activists-in-northwest-syria-interactive-map/. As of early 2022, the United Nations and human rights groups continue to accuse HTS of mass arrests without charge and torture of detainees, charges HTS denies.Priyanka Boghani, “Syrian Militant and Former Al Qaeda Leader Seeks Wider Acceptance in First Interview With U.S. Journalist,” PBS, April 2, 2021, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/abu-mohammad-al-jolani-interview-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-syria-al-qaeda/.

The terrorist al-Nusra Front group has attracted the largest contingency of foreign fighters to Syria after ISIS, reportedly consisting of 3,000 to 4,000 foreigners as of late 2018.Mariya Petkova, “After the Sochi agreement, HTS is facing internal divisions,” Al Jazeera, September 27, 2018, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/turkey-idlib-180924191442969.html. The group regularly engages in violent clashes with other rebel groups in northern Syria, and conducts operations to arrest civilian protesters.Ryan Browne, “Report: Syria’s al-Nusra ‘more dangerous’ than ISIS,” CNN, January 26, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/25/politics/al-qaeda-al-nusra-isis-threat-experts/; Noor Nahas, “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Attempting to Consolidate Power Ahead of Idlib Offensive,” Bellingcat, August 22, 2018, https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2018/08/22/hts-consolidation/.

Doctrine:

Al-Nusra Front adheres to a Salafist, jihadist ideology with the professed aim of establishing Islamic governance in all areas under its control. In the group’s January 2012 inaugural video, a masked representative outlined its regional objectives. He introduced al-Nusra Front as “Syrian mujahedeen” who have come “back from various jihad fronts to restore God’s rule on the Earth [Islamic law] and avenge the Syrians’ violated honour and spilled blood.”Paul Wood, “Syria: Islamist Nusra Front Gives BBC Exclusive Interview,” BBC News, January 17, 2013, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-21061018.

Years later, when Golani announced al-Nusra Front’s dissociation from al-Qaeda, he reaffirmed the group’s core objectives, saying that despite separating from al-Qaeda, the group would not be “compromising or sacrificing our solid beliefs or laxity in the necessity of the continuity of the Jihad of Al-Sham [Syria].”Thomas Joscelyn, “Transcript of Abu Muhammad al Julani’s Speech,” Long War Journal, July 29, 2016, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/07/transcript-of-abu-muhammad-al-julanis-speech.php; Dania Akkad, “Nusra confirms split with al-Qaeda ‘to Protect the Syrian revolution,’” Middle East Eye, July 28, 2016, http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nusra-front-announces-official-split-al-qaeda-520293064. Golani reaffirmed that his group sought to use “Islamically legitimate means” to unify jihadists in Syria and the “masses of people in Al-Sham [Syria]” in order to replace the Assad government with one based on sharia (Islamic law).Thomas Joscelyn, “Transcript of Abu Muhammad al Julani’s Speech,” Long War Journal, July 29, 2016, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/07/transcript-of-abu-muhammad-al-julanis-speech.php; Dania Akkad, “Nusra confirms split with al-Qaeda ‘to protect the Syrian revolution,’” Middle East Eye, July 28, 2016, http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nusra-front-announces-official-split-al-qaeda-520293064. In a February 2021 interview with PBS’s Frontline, Golani described HTS’s “key message” as the people wanted to change a ruler and the ruler wanted to change a people—and changing a ruler is a lot easier than changing a people.Priyanka Boghani, “Syrian Militant and Former Al Qaeda Leader Seeks Wider Acceptance in First Interview With U.S. Journalist,” Frontline, April 2, 2021, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/abu-mohammad-al-jolani-interview-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-syria-al-qaeda/.

Despite these affirmations, al-Nusra Front has continued to struggle with its identity. On November 27, 2017, Golani ordered the arrests of Sami al-Oraidi, the former head of al-Nusra Front’s Sharia Council; Abu Julaibib al-Ordoni, former Dara’a commander for al-Nusra Front; Abu Khadija al-Ordoni; and Abu Mussaab al-Libi. All four were prominent al-Nusra Front leaders with strong ties to al-Qaeda.Mona Alami, “HTS Continues to Evolve,” Atlantic Council SyriaSource, December 1, 2017, http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/syriasource/hts-continues-to-evolve. Following these arrests, several HTS members resigned and several large factions threatened to break away, prompting Golani to renew negotiations with al-Qaeda that ultimately led nowhere.“Weekly Conflict Summary November 30-December 6, 2017,” Carter Center, December 6, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.11.30-12.05.pdf. On December 4, 2017, HTS released Ordoni in a bid to ease tensions within the group. Ordoni immediately renewed his pledge to al-Qaeda upon release.“Weekly Conflict Summary November 30-December 6, 2017,” Carter Center, December 6, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.11.30-12.05.pdf.

Following these arrests, several subgroups of devoted al-Qaeda supporters defected from HTS. On December 5, 2017, HTS faction Jaish al-Badia defected, creating a new Telegram channel devoted to al-Qaeda.Tore Refslund Hamming and Pieter Van Ostaeyen, “The True Story of al-Qaeda’s Demise and Resurgence in Syria,” Lawfareblog, April 8, 2018, https://lawfareblog.com/true-story-al-qaedas-demise-and-resurgence-syria. Jaish al-Malahem followed three weeks later, also indicating support for al-Qaeda in its new Telegram channel, while on February 7, 2018, a new al-Qaeda-supporting group, Jund al Shariah, announced its formation.Tore Refslund Hamming and Pieter Van Ostaeyen, “The True Story of al-Qaeda’s Demise and Resurgence in Syria,” Lawfareblog, April 8, 2018, https://lawfareblog.com/true-story-al-qaedas-demise-and-resurgence-syria. On February 28, 2018, these three groups, along with three other small militant factions, announced a merger under the name Hurras al-Deen (HaD), or Guardians of the Religion, and declared themselves an unofficial affiliate of al-Qaeda.Tore Refslund Hamming and Pieter Van Ostaeyen, “The True Story of al-Qaeda’s Demise and Resurgence in Syria,” Lawfareblog, April 8, 2018, https://lawfareblog.com/true-story-al-qaedas-demise-and-resurgence-syria. Oraidi and Ordoni both joined HaD's Shura council and reportedly began talks with al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to make HaD the official al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.Tore Refslund Hamming and Pieter Van Ostaeyen, “The True Story of al-Qaeda’s Demise and Resurgence in Syria,” Lawfareblog, April 8, 2018, https://lawfareblog.com/true-story-al-qaedas-demise-and-resurgence-syria. HaD is explicitly loyal to al-Qaeda and the U.S. government considers it part of al-Qaeda in Syria.Aymenn al-Tamimi, “Hurras al-Din: Interview,” Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi’s blog, July 11, 2019, http://www.aymennjawad.org/2019/07/hurras-al-din-interview; The Best of Bad Options for Syria’s Idlib, International Crisis Group, March 14, 2019, 17, https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/197-the-best-of-bad-options%20.pdf; Nathan A. Sales, “Keeping the Pressure on al-Qaida,” U.S. Department of State, September 12, 2019, https://www.state.gov/keeping-the-pressure-on-al-qaida. HaD views al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri as its “defining authority.”“Hardliner Wing of ‘Hurras al-Din’ Loses Its Most Influential Figures,” Enab Baladi, July 4, 2018, https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2019/07/hardliner-wing-of-guardians-of-religion-loses-its-most-influential-figures/#ixzz65J3MS9o5; “Twenty-Fourth Report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team Submitted Pursuant to Resolution 2368 (2017) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and Associated Individuals and Entities,” UN Security Council, June 27, 2019, 7-8, https://undocs.org/S/2019/570. HaD remains at odds with HTS.

While some Syria analysts argue that this chain of events proves that HTS and al-Nusra Front are no longer al-Qaeda affiliates, the U.S. government maintains that the groups are linked. On May 31, 2018, the State Department amended its classification of HTS to include it as “an official alias” of al-Nusra Front, which the State Department maintains is still “an al-Qaeda affiliate.”“Amendments to the Terrorist Designations of al-Nusrah Front,” U.S. Department of State, May 31, 2018, https://www.state.gov/amendments-to-the-terrorist-designations-of-al-nusrah-front/; “Country Reports on Terrorism 2020,” U.S. Department of State, December 2021, 295, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Country_Reports_on_Terrorism_2020.pdf. Nonetheless, as HTS has sought to soften its public image, some U.S. officials have praised HTS’s role in Syria. In March 2022, James Jeffrey, who served as special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy to the global coalition to defeat ISIS during the Trump administration, called HTS “an asset” to America’s strategy in Idlib. According to Jeffries, HTS is “the least bad option of the various options on Idlib, and Idlib is one of the most important places in Syria, which is one of the most important places right now in the Middle East.”Priyanka Boghani, “Syrian Militant and Former Al Qaeda Leader Seeks Wider Acceptance in First Interview With U.S. Journalist,” PBS, April 2, 2021, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/abu-mohammad-al-jolani-interview-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-syria-al-qaeda/.

On November 2, 2017, HTS announced the formation of the “Salvation Government,” a civilian-run administrative and political body in Idlib chaired by Mohammad al-Sheikh. HTS reportedly handed over control of its Public Services Administration to the Salvation Government.Sam Heller, “Turkey Through the Syrian Looking Glass,” Century Foundation, November 28, 2017, https://tcf.org/content/commentary/turkey-syrian-looking-glass/; “شاهد .. الإعلان عن تشكيل حكومة الإنقاذ في إدلب برئاسة"محمد الشيخ,” YouTube video, 16:29, posted by “ نداء سوريا,” November 2, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5orACzyc_G8. As the war against the Syrian regime slowed down and rebel infighting increased in 2018, al-Nusra Front sought to use the Salvation Government to exert political control over territory that escaped its military control.Sam Heller, “Turkey Through the Syrian Looking Glass,” Century Foundation, November 28, 2017, https://tcf.org/content/commentary/turkey-syrian-looking-glass/; “شاهد .. الإعلان عن تشكيل حكومة الإنقاذ في إدلب برئاسة"محمد الشيخ,” YouTube video, 16:29, posted by “ نداء سوريا,” November 2, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5orACzyc_G8. In January 2019, HTS succeeded in using its military power to force all other rebel groups in Idlib, Hama, and Aleppo to either hand direct control of their towns to HTS or to allow the Salvation Government to take over their towns’ local councils.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 6th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 6, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/06/syrian-war-daily-6th-of-january-2019/#more-10014; “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Takes Over Idlib After Ceasefire Deal,” Asharq al-Awsat (London), January 10, 2019, https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1540261/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-takes-over-idlib-after-ceasefire-deal; Joško Barić “Syrian War Daily – 10th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 10, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/10/syrian-war-daily-10th-of-january-2019/#more-10029. The United Nations and human rights groups continue to accuse HTS of mass arrests without charge and torture of detainees, which HTS denies. In a February 2021 interview, Golani denied HTS is detaining innocent people or those critical of the group and instead arresting thieves and other criminals. He further claimed individuals detained by HTS were “regime agents,” “Russian agents who come to place booby traps,” or members of ISIS.Priyanka Boghani, “Syrian Militant and Former Al Qaeda Leader Seeks Wider Acceptance in First Interview With U.S. Journalist,” Frontline, April 2, 2021, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/abu-mohammad-al-jolani-interview-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-syria-al-qaeda/.

While al-Nusra Front works to establish Islamic law in all areas under its control, it has done so incrementally in order to sustain local support. In this way, the group follows the guidelines and strategy of al-Qaeda-linked writer Abu Musab al-Suri, who sought to win the hearts and minds of locals in order to pursue his Islamist objectives.Hassan Hassan, “A Jihadist Blueprint for Hearts and Minds Is Gaining Traction in Syria,” National (Abu Dhabi), March 4, 2014, http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/a-jihadist-blueprint-for-hearts-and-minds-is-gaining-traction-in-syria. In a statement posted online, Golani said, “Beware of being hard on [the locals]. Begin with the priorities and fundamentals of Islam, and be flexible on the minor parts of religion.”Hassan Hassan, “A Jihadist Blueprint for Hearts and Minds Is Gaining Traction in Syria,” National (Dubai), March 4, 2014, http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/a-jihadist-blueprint-for-hearts-and-minds-is-gaining-traction-in-syria. In a December 2012 interview with the Dubai-based National, Golani said that his group’s “first goal is to get rid of Assad. Then we want a state where the Quran is the only source of law.”Balint Szlanko, “Jabhat Al Nusra’s new Syria,” National (Abu Dhabi), December 15, 2012, http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/jabhat-al-nusras-new-syria.

While al-Nusra Front has generally followed these guidelines, there are several instances where regional leaders have been quick to impose harsh interpretations of Islamic law onto local populaces and use violence to force conversions.“Syrian Rebels to Retreat from Christian Town of Maaloula,” France 24, September 11, 2013, https://www.france24.com/en/20130911-syrian-rebels-withdraw-christian-town-maaloula. In January 2015 in the Druze-dominated Jabal al-Summaq mountain in Idlib province, the Front’s then regional emir, Abu Abd al-Rahman al-Tunisi, ordered the local Druze to convert to Sunni Islam and destroyed their shrines.Aymenn J. al-Tamimi, “Additional Notes on the Druze of Jabal al-Summaq,” Aymenn  Jawad al-Tamimi’s Blog, October 6, 2015, http://www.aymennjawad.org/2015/10/additional-notes-on-the-druze-of-jabal-al-summaq. Tunisi was removed from his position after al-Nusra Front fighters under his command killed 23 Druze civilians in Qalb Lawza during a land dispute. Although al-Nusra Front reprimanded Tunisi for the massacre, the group upheld the validity of the forced conversions.Aymenn J. al-Tamimi, “Additional Notes on the Druze of Jabal al-Summaq,” Aymenn  Jawad al-Tamimi’s Blog, October 6, 2015, www.aymennjawad.org/2015/10/additional-note-on-the-druze-of-jabal-summaq. Al-Nusra Front has also reportedly imposed smoking bans on areas it controls, forced clothing shops to cover the heads of mannequins, and jailed men and women for socializing together in public.Sune Engel Rasmussen, “As Islamic State Fades in Syria, Another Militant Group Takes Root,” Wall Street Journal, April 18, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-islamic-state-fades-in-syria-another-militant-group-takes-root-1524064045.

Although al-Nusra Front publicly emphasizes its Syrian aims, it has shown signs of a more expansionist ideology in line with al-Qaeda’s brand of global jihadism. Despite the group’s emphasis on its Syrian character, al-Nusra Front expanded its operations into neighboring Lebanon in response to Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria.“Nusra Front – Lebanon,” Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium, accessed December 25, 2014, http://www.trackingterrorism.org/group/nusra-front-lebanon. The group also stands accused of plotting attacks against the West,Patricia Zengerle and Mark Hosenball, “U.S. Spy Chiefs Say Number of Foreign Militants in Syria Rises,” Reuters, January 29, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/29/us-usa-security-syria-idUSBREA0S1XL20140129. seemingly through the elusive Khorasan group, or what one Dubai reporter has exposed as al-Nusra Front’s ‘Wolf Unit.’Jenan Moussa, “Exclusive: Documents Show that the Khorasan Group Is the Same Group as Wolf’s Nusra,” Al Aan TV, October 1, 2014, http://www.alaan.tv/news/world-news/114998/khorassan-group-is-in-fact-the-wolf-unit-of-nusra-front-documents-show. However, the death of Khorasan commander Said Arif in 2015 signaled the effective end of al-Nusra Front’s external operations.Charles Lister, Profiling Jabhat al-Nusra, Brookings Institute, July 2016, 30, https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/iwr_20160728_profiling_nusra.pdf. When al-Nusra Front was initially sent to Syria, one of its founding goals was reportedly to establish a safe haven for training recruits and stashing weapons,Quilliam Foundation, “Jabhat al-Nusra Jabhat al-Nusra li-ahl al-Sham min Mujahedi al-Sham fi Sahat al-Jihad. A Strategic Briefing,” Internet Archive, accessed March 6, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20160313051444/http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/publications/free/jabhat-al-nusra-a-strategic-briefing.pdf. allegedly on behalf of al-Qaeda in Iraq (now ISIS).Thomas Joscelyn, “Al Qaeda in Iraq, Al Nusrah Front Emerge as Rebranded Single Entity,” Long War Journal, April 9, 2013, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/the_emir_of_al_qaeda.php#ixzz3Mw15S2jb.

Organizational Structure:

Al-Nusra Front is both hierarchical and regionalized. Historically, each region has been equipped with an overall leader, a religious leader, and a military commander.Rania Abouzeid, “Interview with Official of Jabhat al-Nusra, Syria’s Islamist Militia Group,” Time, December 25, 2012, http://world.time.com/2012/12/25/interview-with-a-newly-designated-syrias-jabhat-al-nusra/. The group as a whole has been directed by a small consultative council called Majlis-ash-Shura,Quilliam Foundation, “Jabhat al-Nusra Jabhat al-Nusra li-ahl al-Sham min Mujahedi al-Sham fi Sahat al-Jihad. A Strategic Briefing,” Internet Archive, accessed March 6, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20160313051444/http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/publications/free/jabhat-al-nusra-a-strategic-briefing.pdf. and headed by its emir (“commander” or “prince”), Abu Muhammad al-Golani. For years, Golani has carefully avoided showing his face in public, releasing audio statements and providing in-person interviews to news outlets with his face blurred out. In July 2016, however, Golani appeared in a video to announce his group’s formal split from al-Qaeda.Thomas Joscelyn, “Analysis: Al Nusrah Front Rebrands Itself as Jabhat Fath Al Sham,” Long War Journal, July 28, 2016, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/07/analysis-al-nusrah-front-rebrands-itself-as-jabhat-fath-al-sham.php.

Al-Nusra Front had previously pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda“Syria Crisis: Al-Nusra Pledges Allegiance to Al-Qaeda,” BBC News, April 10, 2013, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-22095099. and reported to the latter group’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. On July 28, 2016, Zawahiri released an audio statement giving al-Nusra Front formal permission to break ties with al-Qaeda as needed.“Al Qaeda tells Syrian branch Nusra Front it can drop links,” Reuters, July 28, 2016, http://news.trust.org/item/20160728110801-ogl17. Golani accepted the offer, thanking al-Qaeda and its leaders and announcing that the Front no longer had “any affiliation to any external entity.”Thomas Joscelyn, “Analysis: Al Nusrah Front Rebrands Itself as Jabhat Fath al Sham,” Long War Journal, July 28, 2016, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/07/analysis-al-nusrah-front-rebrands-itself-as-jabhat-fath-al-sham.php.< After claiming to break with al-Qaeda, the Front attempted to merge with other large Islamist opposition groups, including Ahrar al-Sham.“Full Story: The Military Factions of Syria in Seek to Integrate,” el-Dorar al-Shamia, December 23, 2016, http://en.eldorar.com/node/4121. On January 28, 2017, al-Nusra Front announced that it was disbanding as a standalone body and would operate under the banner of HTS, a coalition that combines five major Islamist factions—al-Nusra Front, Harakat Nour al Din al Zenki, Liwa al Haqq, Ansar al Din, and Jaysh al Sunna—along with dozens of smaller Islamist and secular Free Syrian Army groups under one central leadership, with Golani heading its militant branch.Charles Lister, Twitter post, January 29, 2017, 11:08am, https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/825737487255531524. However after a series of clashes with other rebel groups in Idlib in July 2017, dozens of factions and leaders defected from HTS, reducing the coalition to a core of al-Nusra Front supporters.Aron Lund, “A Jihadist Breakup in Syria,” Foreign Affairs, September 15, 2017, https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/syria/2017-09-15/jihadist-breakup-syria.

In early 2017, Golani claimed to have stepped aside from his leadership of al-Nusra Front to defer to Hashim al-Sheikh, leader of the HTS coalition, while Golani became the military commander of the group.Thomas Joscelyn, “Hay’at Tahrir al Sham leader calls for ‘unity’ in Syrian insurgency,” Long War Journal, February 10, 2017, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-leader-calls-for-unity-in-syrian-insurgency.php; Aymenn al-Tammimi, “The Formation of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Wider Tensions in the Syrian Insurgency,” Combating Terrorism Center, February 22, 2017, https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-formation-of-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-and-wider-tensions-in-the-syrian-insurgency. However, since Sheikh’s resignation in October 2017, Golani has once again served as the undisputed leader of HTS.“الجولاني قائداً مؤقتاً لهيئة "تحرير الشام".. وهذا مصير قائدها السابق”, Huffington Post Arabic, October 2, 2017, http://www.huffpostarabi.com/2017/10/02/story_n_18159996.html; “Weekly Conflict Summary September 28 – October 4, 2017,” Carter Center, October 4, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.09.28-10.04.pdf.

According to multiple analysts' estimates in 2018, HTS maintained approximately 12,000–20,000 fighters. In contrast, al-Nusra Front had an estimated 5,000–7,000 fighters in 2016.Cameron Glenn, “The Nusra Front: Al Qaeda’s Affiliate in Syria,” Wilson Center, June 17, 2016, https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/the-nusra-front-al-qaedas-affiliate-syria; Lidia Kelly, “Russia Announces Daily Ceasefires in Syria’s Aleppo to Let in Aid,” Reuters, August 10, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-idUSKCN10L1WL; “Syria: Who’s in control in Idlib?” BBC News, September 7, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-45401474; Mariya Petkova, “After the Sochi agreement, HTS is facing internal divisions,” Al Jazeera, September 27, 2018, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/turkey-idlib-180924191442969.html. Al-Nusra Front has also attracted the largest contingency of foreign fighters after ISIS.Ryan Browne, “Report: Syria’s al-Nusra ‘more dangerous’ than ISIS,” CNN, January 26, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/25/politics/al-qaeda-al-nusra-isis-threat-experts/. Its militant branch is responsible for conducting coordinated attacks against the Assad regime, loyalists, thugs, and perceived colluders, as well as rival groups like ISIS and secular Free Syrian Army factions. The militant branch also conducts ‘lone wolf’ operations (including suicide bombings) and hostage missions targeting Lebanese and Syrian civilians.Al Jazeera, “Jabhat al-Nusra claims deadly Lebanon bombing,” Al Jazeera, February 1, 2014, www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/02/al-nusra-front-claims-deadly-lebanon-bombing-201421221112955650.html.

HTS’s military was originally separated into four “armies”: the Army of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, the Army of Omar bin al-Khattab, the Army of Othman bin Affan, and the Army of Ali bin Abi Talib.Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi, “A New Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham Recruitment Campaign,” Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi’s blog, September 5, 2019, http://www.aymennjawad.org/2019/09/a-new-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-recruitment-campaign. On April 14, 2020, HTS’s military wing announced the establishment of three new military brigades: the Talha bin Ubayd Allah Brigade, headed by Abu Hafs Binnish; the Ali bin Abi Talib Brigade, headed by Abu Bakr Muhain; and the al-Zubeir ibn al-Awwam Brigade, headed by Abu Mohammad Shura. These armies consist of anti-armored-vehicles units, machine-gun units, armored-vehicles units, air-reconnaissance units (drone operators), automatic and manual fortification-building units, mortar units, and sniper units.Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi, “Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's 'North Brigade',” Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi’s blog, September 16, 2019, http://www.aymennjawad.org/2019/09/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-north-brigade; Khaled al-Khateb, “Idlib jihadist group uses Syria cease-fire to restructure, expand,” Al-Monitor, May 1, 2020, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/04/syria-idlib-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-new-brigades-battle.html. Binnish is reportedly the son-in-law of Golani and has risen quickly throughout the group due to his family connection. HTS issued a statement claiming, “these changes are in line with the preparations of the revolutionary forces on the ground…to rise to the challenges of the revolution and defend the region against the attacks of the occupier and its militias.” Since the beginning of 2020, HTS has allegedly had a growing number of defections within its ranks given massive losses in battles against the Syrian government.Khaled al-Khateb, “Idlib jihadist group uses Syria cease-fire to restructure, expand,” Al-Monitor, May 1, 2020, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/04/syria-idlib-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-new-brigades-battle.html.

HTS also operates a special military unit known as the “Red Bands” or “Band of Deaths” that is reportedly responsible for conducting raids behind regime frontlines.Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, “Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's 'Red Bands': Interview,” March 6, 2019, http://www.aymennjawad.org/2019/03/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-red-bands-interview. The group simultaneously stands accused by the U.S. government of plotting attacks against Western targets through its small and secretive “Wolf unit.”Jenan Moussa, “Exclusive: Documents Show that the Khorasan Group Is the Same Group as Wolf’s Nusra,” Al Aan TV, October 1, 2014, http://www.alaan.tv/news/world-news/114998/khorassan-group-is-in-fact-the-wolf-unit-of-nusra-front-documents-show;
Charles Lister, Profiling Jabhat al-Nusra, Brookings Institute, July 2016, 30, https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/iwr_20160728_profiling_nusra.pdf.

In addition to the group’s militant branch, al-Nusra Front managed civilian services and administration programs, known as Idarat al-Khidamat al-Ammah (Public Services Administration) and Idarat al-Manateq al-Muharara (Liberated Districts Administration)respectively, to govern areas in northern, western, and southern Syria, alongside other rebel groups.Bassem Mroue, “AP EXPLAINS: Why Syria’s al-Qaida may be considering a split,” Associated Press, July 27, 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d10d759d35824b70b47501d85f0ff8c3/ap-explains-why-syrias-al-qaida-may-be-considering-split. Al-Nusra Front’s civilian branch has previously operated under the direction of its reported head of civilian programs at the time, Hajji Rasoul.Ruth Sherlock, “Syria: how jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra is taking over Syria's revolution,” Telegraph (London), February 8, 2013, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9857846/Syria-how-jihadist-group-Jabhat-al-Nusra-is-taking-over-Syrias-revolution.html. In the past, the program has coordinated bread rations and enforced Islamist regulations on al-Nusra Front’s de facto subjects.Liz Sly, “Islamic Law Comes to Rebel-Held Areas of Syria,” Washington Post, March 19, 2013, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/islamic-law-comes-to-rebel-held-syria/2013/03/19/b310532e-90af-11e2-bdea-e32ad90da239_story.html. As part of the group’s governance program, al-Nusra Front—alongside its allied rebel groups—levy taxes and control the allocation of special permits to civilian vehicles.Christiaan Triebert and Rao Kumar, “Jabhat Fateh al-Sham’s Income and Resources,” Hate Speech International, August 15, 2016, https://www.hate-speech.org/jabhat-fateh-al-shams-income-and-resources-an-open-source-investigation/#fn-2879-45.

On November 2, 2017, HTS announced the formation of the Salvation Government, a civilian-run administrative and political body in Idlib chaired by Mohammad al-Sheikh. HTS reportedly handed over control of its Public Services Administration to the Salvation Government.Sam Heller, “Turkey Through the Syrian Looking Glass,” Century Foundation, November 28, 2017, https://tcf.org/content/commentary/turkey-syrian-looking-glass/; “شاهد .. الإعلان عن تشكيل حكومة الإنقاذ في إدلب برئاسة "محمد الشيخ,” YouTube video,16:29, posted by “نداء سوريا,” November 2, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5orACzyc_G8. According to Syrian expert Sam Heller, the Salvation government formed through “a miniature, managed version of an inclusive national dialogue,” implying that at least some non-HTS elements are present in the body. However, many analysts and activists believe that the newly formed governing bodies in Idlib are controlled by HTS.Sam Heller, “Turkey Through the Syrian Looking Glass,” Century Foundation, November 28, 2017, https://tcf.org/content/commentary/turkey-syrian-looking-glass/; Mona Alami, “HTS Continues to Evolve,” Atlantic Council SyriaSource, December 1, 2017, http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/syriasource/hts-continues-to-evolve. In January 2019, a ceasefire between HTS and the Turkish-backed rebel alliance National Liberation Front resulted in the Salvation Government taking control of every local council previously under the control or protection of those rebel groups, making HTS the dominant force in Idlib.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 6th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 6, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/06/syrian-war-daily-6th-of-january-2019/#more-10014; “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Takes Over Idlib After Ceasefire Deal,” Asharq al-Awsat (London), January 10, 2019, https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1540261/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-takes-over-idlib-after-ceasefire-deal; Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 10th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 10, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/10/syrian-war-daily-10th-of-january-2019/#more-10029.

For recruitment and publicity purposes, al-Nusra Front has maintained a media branch called al-Manara al-Bayda (“the White Minaret”), which the group has refrained from using since dissociating from al-Qaeda and merging with HTS.Thomas Joscelyn, “Hay’at Tahrir al Sham leader calls for ‘unity’ in Syrian insurgency,” Long War Journal, February 10, 2017, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-leader-calls-for-unity-in-syrian-insurgency.php. This branch had previously maintained the group’s public image and media program, disseminating videos and posting statements by the group on jihadist websites, as well as on encrypted messaging applications, video-hosting websites, and social media websites.Rania Abouzeid, “Interview with Official of Jabhat al-Nusra, Syria’s Islamist Militia Group,” Time, December 25, 2012, http://world.time.com/2012/12/25/interview-with-a-newly-designated-syrias-jabhat-al-nusra/;
White Minaret, Telegram, accessed July 28, 2016, https://web.telegram.org/#/im?p=@Al_Manara. HTS has, since its formation in early 2017, begun operating accounts on TwitterHayat Tahrir al-Sham, Twitter feed, accessed February 14, 2017, https://twitter.com/tahriralsham1?lang=en. and TelegramAl Maqalaat, Telegram feed, accessed February 14, 2017, https://web.telegram.org/#/im?p=@Al_Maqalaat_L. among other social media platforms, issuing statements, updates, and propaganda materials in a variety of languages including English, Arabic, and Russian.Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Twitter feed, accessed February 14, 2017, https://twitter.com/tahriralsham1?lang=en.

On October 21, 2020, HTS announced through its Sharia Council that it disavowed Assem Barqawi a.k.a. Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi. Al-Maqdisi is a prominent Salafist ideologue and was a close confidante of al-Qaeda founder Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Al-Maqdisi and HTS have been at odds since HTS’s split from al-Qaeda in 2016. HTS has distanced itself from al-Maqdisi as they are seeking to shed their reputation as an extremist group in order to form a political representation bureau in Idlib. Additionally, according to scholars at Jusoor for Studies, a Syrian independent institution based in Turkey, by disavowing al-Maqdisi, HTS will have a better chance to persuade other military factions to cooperate in a future HTS military council project. The details of the military council project have yet to be disclosed, but will reportedly help deter the presence of the newly formed joint military operations room that includes the al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Din, Jamaat Ansar al-Islam, and Jabhat Ansar al-Din, as well as al-Jihad Coordination and al-Muqatileen al-Ansar Brigade, which are recent HTS splinters. The Idlib-focused operations center, “Be Steadfast” was established in June 2020 and is aimed at coordinating efforts to fight against Syrian government troops, its allied forces, and HTS.Sultan al-Kanj, “Syrian extremist group in Idlib breaks with jihadist ideologue,” Al-Monitor, October 21, 2020, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/10/syria-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-relations-al-qaeda-jihadis.html#ixzz6bcn6ts00; Sirwan Kajjo, “Jihadists in Syria’s Idlib Form New ‘Operations Room’,” Voice of America, June 15, 2020, https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/jihadists-syrias-idlib-form-new-operations-room.

Financing:

Al-Nusra Front has been well-funded since its inception in 2011.Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, “Taking Syria Back From the Extremists,” Washington Post, December 27, 2012, http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/taking-syria-back-from-the-extremists/2012/12/27/2b6ce1a6-3d96-11e2-ae43-cf491b837f7b_story.html. By August 2016, the group received streams of funding through a variety of means, including taxation, tariffs, fines, ransoms, international donations, oil sales, looting, and smuggling.Christiaan Triebert and Rao Kumar, “Jabhat Fateh al-Sham’s Income and Resources,” Hate Speech International, August 15, 2016, https://www.hate-speech.org/jabhat-fateh-al-shams-income-and-resources-an-open-source-investigation/#fn-2879-45. In September 2019, HTS commander Abu al-Abed al-Ashida released a video statement accusing HTS of corrupt internal practices. In the video, Ashida claimed HTS had a monthly income of $13 million.“Senior HTS Military Commander Accuses HTS Leadership of Corruption and Mismanagement,” YouTube video, 19:57, posted by On The Ground News TV, September 11, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jG8FYnrJf0&feature=youtu.be.

The most stable source of income for al-Nusra Front is believed to have come from taxes, tariffs, and fines that the group imposes on locals within its territory. Among the taxes levied by the group are income, business, services and utility taxes, including taxes on access to electricity, water, and bread. Al-Nusra Front also reportedly receives funding by leasing out homes, and is even reported to have levied a tax on internally displaced persons within Idlib province.Christiaan Triebert and Rao Kumar, “Jabhat Fateh al-Sham’s Income and Resources,” Hate Speech International, August 15, 2016, https://www.hate-speech.org/jabhat-fateh-al-shams-income-and-resources-an-open-source-investigation/#fn-2879-45. As HTS came to dominate the rebel pocket in Idlib, the coalition monopolized the agricultural industry. HTS forced farmers to sell them their crops at deflated prices, which HTS then sold to the populace at market rates, allowing HTS to collect the profits.Khaled al-Khattab, “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham loses third leader in Syria this year,” al-Monitor, September 19, 2019, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/09/syria-idlib-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-corruption-defection.html#ixzz60BQgTWQ6. In addition to taxes, al-Nusra Front has seized assets from religious minority groups and receives funding through an arms and weaponry tariff on other rebel groups.Christiaan Triebert and Rao Kumar, “Jabhat Fateh al-Sham’s Income and Resources,” Hate Speech International, August 15, 2016, https://www.hate-speech.org/jabhat-fateh-al-shams-income-and-resources-an-open-source-investigation/#fn-2879-45. In this way, al-Nusra Front is believed to receive roughly half of the ammunition and weapons sent to the Free Syrian Army in northern Syria.Christiaan Triebert and Rao Kumar, “Jabhat Fateh al-Sham’s Income and Resources,” Hate Speech International, August 15, 2016, https://www.hate-speech.org/jabhat-fateh-al-shams-income-and-resources-an-open-source-investigation/#fn-2879-45.

Following the formation of the Salvation Government in November 2017, al-Nusra Front began taxing water and electricity usage in the municipalities under its control.Sune Engel Rasmussen, “As Islamic State Fades in Syria, Another Militant Group Takes Root,” Wall Street Journal, April 18, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-islamic-state-fades-in-syria-another-militant-group-takes-root-1524064045. With HTS’s complete administrative takeover of greater Idlib in January 2019, the funds provided through taxation are likely to increase substantially. HTS also captured the Bab al-Halwa border crossing between Idlib and Turkey in July 2017, providing an additional taxation source for the terror organization.Sune Engel Rasmussen, “As Islamic State Fades in Syria, Another Militant Group Takes Root,” Wall Street Journal, April 18, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-islamic-state-fades-in-syria-another-militant-group-takes-root-1524064045.

Sources of funding for the group also reportedly include private donations from wealthy individuals in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, who are believed to launder the funds through small money transfers, or by dispatching the money with individuals who cross state borders into al-Nusra-held territory.Oliver Holmes and Alexander Dziadosz, “Special Report: How Syria's Islamists Govern with Guile and Guns,” Reuters, June 20, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/20/us-syria-rebels-governance-specialreport-idUSBRE95J05R20130620;
Suleiman al-Khalidi, “Syrian Al Qaeda Reach Foothills of Israeli-Held Golan,” Reuters, May 22, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/22/us-syria-south-insight-idUSBREA4L03Z20140522;
Christiaan Triebert and Rao Kumar, “Jabhat Fateh al-Sham’s Income and Resources,” Hate Speech International, August 15, 2016, https://www.hate-speech.org/jabhat-fateh-al-shams-income-and-resources-an-open-source-investigation/#fn-2879-45. Indeed, al-Nusra Front’s decision in July 2016 to dissociate from al-Qaeda is widely believed to have been motivated in large part to enable Qatari-based donors to continue sending money to al-Nusra Front without being accused of providing financial support to al-Qaeda.Raf Sanchez, “Al-Qaeda leader gives blessing for terror group to form own 'Islamic state' in Syria,” Telegraph (London), May 8, 2016, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/08/al-qaeda-leader-gives-blessing-for-terror-group-to-form-own-isla/;
David Roberts, “What drove Syria's Nusra Front to detach itself from al-Qaeda?” BBC News, July 29, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36922079;
Zvi Bar’el, “Nusra Front Eyes Legitimacy in Syria After Amicable Split With Al-Qaida,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), July 31, 2016, http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-1.734333.

In addition to foreign donations, al-Nusra Front has also secured revenue from oil sales and smuggling,“Russia intensifies strikes on Nusra Front oil sites -military official,” Reuters, May 27, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-syria-russia-idUSR4N18K01I. as well as through cigarette smuggling and extortion.Charles Lister, “An internal struggle: Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate is grappling with its identity,” Brookings Institution, May 31, 2015, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2015/05/31/an-internal-struggle-al-qaedas-syrian-affiliate-is-grappling-with-its-identity/. Although governments typically deny payment for the release of hostages, al-Nusra Front is believed to have racked up millions of dollars through hostage exchanges negotiated by the Qatari government. In one such exchange, the group reportedly received $4 million when it released four Greek Orthodox nuns in March 2014.Christiaan Triebert and Rao Kumar, “Jabhat Fateh al-Sham’s Income and Resources,” Hate Speech International, August 15, 2016, https://www.hate-speech.org/jabhat-fateh-al-shams-income-and-resources-an-open-source-investigation/#fn-2879-45. In another exchange, al-Nusra Front reportedly received $25 million when it released 45 U.N. peacekeepers.Alroy Menezes, “Al Qaeda-Backed Nusra Front Frees Captured UN Peacekeeping Troops After Releasing Video Of Troops,” International Business Times, September 11, 2014, http://www.ibtimes.com/al-qaeda-backed-nusra-front-frees-captured-un-peacekeeping-troops-after-releasing-video-1685352;
“Report: UN Had Qatar Pay Off Al-Qaida Fighters for Release of Fiji Peacekeepers,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), October 11, 2014, http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.620228. U.S. citizen Peter Theo Curtis was believed to have been released in August 2014 in exchange for anywhere between $3 million and $25 million, although the circumstances of Curtis’s release were not made public.Rukmini Callimachi, “U.S. Writer Held by Qaeda Affiliate in Syria Is Freed After Nearly 2 Years,” New York Times, August 24, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/world/middleeast/peter-theo-curtis-held-by-qaeda-affiliate-in-syria-is-freed-after-2-years.html.

Recruitment:

In order to join al-Nusra Front, the group has historically required its recruits to procure tazkiyya (a voucher on behalf of the recruit) from two commanders on the front lines.Quilliam Foundation, “Jabhat al-Nusra Jabhat al-Nusra li-ahl al-Sham min Mujahedi al-Sham fi Sahat al-Jihad. A Strategic Briefing,” Internet Archive, accessed March 6, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20160313051444/http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/publications/free/jabhat-al-nusra-a-strategic-briefing.pdf. Once the recruit was accepted, he would swear bay’ah (an oath of allegiance) to the group, thereby cementing his religious commitment.Quilliam Foundation, “Jabhat al-Nusra Jabhat al-Nusra li-ahl al-Sham min Mujahedi al-Sham fi Sahat al-Jihad. A Strategic Briefing,” Internet Archive, accessed March 6, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20160313051444/http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/publications/free/jabhat-al-nusra-a-strategic-briefing.pdf.

Al-Nusra Front has also recruited members online and in private messaging applications through its former media branches, al-Minara al-Bayda and Fursan al-Sham media. Within Syria, the group has attracted recruits by appealing to the locals in a strategy adopted from al-Qaeda jihadist Abu Musab al-Suri.Hassan Hassan, “A Jihadist Blueprint for Hearts and Minds Is Gaining Traction in Syria,” National (Abu Dhabi), March 4, 2014, http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/a-jihadist-blueprint-for-hearts-and-minds-is-gaining-traction-in-syria. When it comes to attracting recruits, al-Nusra Front holds a financial advantage over competing rebel groups, as it has historically been able to provide members with salaries and weapons.Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, “Taking Syria Back From the Extremists,” Washington Post, December 27, 2012, http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/taking-syria-back-from-the-extremists/2012/12/27/2b6ce1a6-3d96-11e2-ae43-cf491b837f7b_story.html. Under HTS, a new media outlet has been created, Ebaa Agency, which produces high-quality videos, infographics, and media statements similar to those of Amaq, ISIS’s media wing.Thomas Joscelyn, “Analysis: Insurgents launch major offensive against Assad regime in Hama province,” Long War Journal, March 24, 2017, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/analysis-insurgents-launch-major-offensive-against-assad-regime-in-hama-province.php.

In addition to recruiting guerilla fighters through online and in-person efforts, al-Nusra Front stands accused of recruiting child soldiers. The U.N. Human Rights Council’s Independent Commission on Syria has issued reports on al-Nusra Front’s successful recruitment of child soldiers continuing into 2017. In Idlib province, al-Nusra fighters include boys under the age of 18 and 15, with some manning checkpoints.“Human rights abuses and international humanitarian law violations in the Syrian Arab Republic, 21 July 2016- 28 February 2017,” U.N. Human Rights Council, March 10, 2017, 17, http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/IICISyria/Pages/IndependentInternationalCommission.aspx. The Commission found that al-Nusra Front specifically targets poor, uneducated boys for recruitment, paying them modest salaries used to support the boys’ families.“Human rights abuses and international humanitarian law violations in the Syrian Arab Republic, 21 July 2016- 28 February 2017,” U.N. Human Rights Council, March 10, 2017, 17, http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/IICISyria/Pages/IndependentInternationalCommission.aspx.

HTS operates recruitment centers in opposition held territory in Aleppo, Idlib, Jabal Zawiyah, Atmeh IDP camp, and in the towns along the Turkish border.Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi, “A New Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham Recruitment Campaign,” Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi’s blog, September 5, 2019, http://www.aymennjawad.org/2019/09/a-new-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-recruitment-campaign. Recent HTS recruitment campaigns have stipulated that recruits must be 16 years old or older, unmarried, and in good health. Unmarried recruits reportedly receive a monthly salary of 38,000 SYP while married recruits are paid 45,000 SYP.Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi, “A New Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham Recruitment Campaign,” Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi’s blog, September 5, 2019, http://www.aymennjawad.org/2019/09/a-new-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-recruitment-campaign.

Training:

The training process for a new al-Nusra recruit is believed to last for two months. This training includes a 10-day religious course followed by a six to eight military training program with religious lectures every evening.Rania Abouzeid, “Interview with Official of Jabhat al-Nusra, Syria’s Islamist Militia Group,” Time, December 25, 2012, http://world.time.com/2012/12/25/interview-with-a-newly-designated-syrias-jabhat-al-nusra/;
Charles Lister, Profiling Jabhat al-Nusra, Brookings Institute, July 2016, 30, https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/iwr_20160728_profiling_nusra.pdf. Training reportedly emphasizes small-unit tactics, close combat, assassinations, and raids with exposure to common weapons from AK variants to anti-tank missiles.Charles Lister, Profiling Jabhat al-Nusra, Brookings Institute, July 2016, 30, https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/iwr_20160728_profiling_nusra.pdf. Recruits that show exceptional promise during training are selected to join the special operations groups Jaish al-Nusra and Quwat al-Nukhba.Charles Lister, Profiling Jabhat al-Nusra, Brookings Institute, July 2016, 30, https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/iwr_20160728_profiling_nusra.pdf.

Since as far back as 2016, private military contracting company Malhama Tactical has been training al-Nusra Front fighters in special-operation tactics and assisting in developing the small sub-group Quwat al-Nukhba (Elite Forces).“تحرير الشام” تجهّز “قوات النخبة” وتتحدى النظام,” Arabi 21, March 18, 2017, https://medium.com/arabi-21/%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D9%87%D9%91%D8%B2-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88-d3589a622f6; Rao Komar, Christian Borys, Eric Woods, “The Blackwater of Jihad,” Foreign Policy, February 10, 2017, http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/02/10/the-world-first-jihadi-private-military-contractor-syria-russia-malhama-tactical/. Malhama Tactical was founded by an Uzbek veteran of the Russian military known by his pseudonym Abu Rofiq and initially staffed ten trainers, all with military experience from former Soviet states. Abu Rofiq claims to have founded his organization as a for-profit private military contractor that works exclusively with Sunni-Jihadist organizations. Malhama has reportedly been hired to train and fight alongside both al-Nusra Front and the Turkistani Islamic Party in Syria.Rao Komar, Christian Borys, Eric Woods, “The Blackwater of Jihad,” Foreign Policy, February 10, 2017, http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/02/10/the-world-first-jihadi-private-military-contractor-syria-russia-malhama-tactical/.

Also Known As:

  • Type of Organization:
    Insurgent, non-state actor, terrorist, transnational, violent
  • Ideologies and Affiliations:
    Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni
  • Place of Origin:
    Syria and Iraq
  • Year of Origin:
    Formed 2011, declared January 2012
  • Founder(s):

    Abu Mohammad al-Golani, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

  • Places of Operation:

    Syria and Lebanon

Anas Hassan Khattab

Administrative leader

Abu ‘Abdallah al-Shami'

Top sharia official of HTS

Abu Marieh Qahtani

Former Emir of al-Nusra in Deir Ez Zor, leading HTS cleric

Abu Jaber al-Shami

HTS Emir of the South

Mostafa Mahamed a.k.a. Abu Sulayman

Former director of foreign media relations, former member of the General Islamic Council, former propagandist, former senior official, former senior spiritual advisor, former top sharia official

Highest ranking member from Australia

Sheikh Bashar al-Shami

Head of HTS Shura Council

Abu al-Fatah al-Farghali

HTS jurist

Al-Nusra Front conducted its first attack on December 23, 2011, detonating two car bombs outside a government security office in Damascus and killing 44.Kareem Fahim, “Syria Blames Al Qaeda After Bombs Kill Dozens in Damascus,” New York Times, December 23, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/24/world/middleeast/syria-says-suicide-bombers-attack-in-damascus.html. In the following months the Front drastically increased the frequency and types of attacks carried out against the Assad regime, setting itself apart from other rebel groups with the large number of suicide bombings it conducted. As al-Nusra Front seized and held territory, it began to attack civilians, minorities, and other rebel groups. After Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria on behalf of the Assad regime in mid-2013, al-Nusra Front expanded its operations into Lebanon.“Nusra Front, Syrian rebels attack government forces near Aleppo, gain ground,” Reuters, April 2, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUSKCN0WZ0O5; “Nusra Front claims Lebanon suicide attack,” Al Jazeera, September 18, 2016, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2015/01/fatal-blast-lebanon-ends-lull-attacks-2015110194313121358.html. While the Front’s attacks in Lebanon largely ended by mid-2015, the group still conducts violent activities in Syria’s southern governorates of Dara’a and Quneitra, in the Eastern Ghouta pocket of Damascus, and in the rebel-held areas of Idlib, Hama, and Aleppo

  • Designations
  • Associations
  • Media Coverage
  • Rhetoric

Designations by the U.S. Government:

    • December 10, 2012: The Department of State designates al-Nusra Front as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (under Executive Order 13224).Department of State, Public Notice, “In the Matter of Amendment of the Designation of al-Qa’ida in Iraq, aka Jam’at al Tawhid wa’al-Jihad, aka The Monotheism and Jihad Group, aka The al-Zarqawi Network, aka al-Tawhid, aka Tanzim Qa‘idat al-Jihad fi Bilad alRafidayn, aka The Organization of alJihad’s Base of Operations in Iraq, aka al-Qaida of Jihad in Iraq, aka al-Qaida in Iraq, aka al-Qaida in Mesopotamia, aka al-Qaida in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka al-Qaida of the Jihad in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka al-Qaida of Jihad Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka al-Qaida Group of Jihad in Iraq, aka al-Qaida Group of Jihad in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka The Organization of Jihad’s Base in the Country of the Two Rivers, aka The Organization Base of Jihad/ Country of the Two Rivers, aka The Organization of al-Jihad’s Base in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka The Organization Base of Jihad/ Mesopotamia, aka The Organization of al-Jihad’s Base of Operations in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka Tanzeem qa’idat al Jihad/Bildad al Raafidaini, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act; To include the aliases Al-Nusrah Front, Jabhat al-Nusrah, Jabhet al-Nusra, The Victory Front, Al Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant, Public Notice 8104,” Federal Register 77, no. 238 (December 11, 2012): 73732, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-12-11/pdf/2012-29870.pdf; Department of State, Public Notice, “In the Matter of the Amendment of the Designation of al-Qa’ida in Iraq, aka Jam’at al Tawhid wa’al-Jihad, aka The Monotheism and Jihad Group, aka The al-Zarqawi Network, aka al-Tawhid, aka Tanzim Qa‘idat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn, aka The Organization of al-Jihad’s Base of Operations in Iraq, aka al-Qaida of Jihad in Iraq, aka al-Qaida in Iraq, aka al-Qaida in Mesopotamia, aka al-Qaida in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka al-Qaida of the Jihad in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka al-Qaida of Jihad Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka al-Qaida Group of Jihad in Iraq, aka al-Qaida Group of Jihad in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka The Organization of Jihad’s Base in the Country of the Two Rivers, aka The Organization Base of Jihad/Country of the Two Rivers, aka The Organization of al-Jihad’s Base in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka The Organization Base of Jihad/Mesopotamia, aka The Organization of al-Jihad’s Base of Operations in the Land of the Two Rivers, aka Tanzeem qa’idat al Jihad/Bildad al Raafidaini, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity pursuant to Executive Order 13224; To include the aliases Al-Nusrah Front, Jabhat al-Nusrah, Jabhet al-Nusra, The Victory Front, Al-Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant, Public Notice 8105,” Federal Register 77, no. 238 (December 11, 2012): 73732, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-12-11/pdf/2012-29870.pdf.
    • May 14, 2014: The Department of the Treasury designates al-Nusra Front as a Specially Designated National.“Kingpin Act Designations and Updates; Counter Terrorism Designations and Updates; Kingpin Act Designations Removals – Special Designated Nationals Update,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, May 15, 2014, http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20140514.aspx.
    • May 31, 2018: The Department of State amends its listing of al-Nusra Front to include Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as an alias.“Amendments to the Terrorist Designations of al-Nusrah Front,” U.S. Department of State, May 31, 2018, https://www.state.gov/amendments-to-the-terrorist-designations-of-al-nusrah-front/.

Designations by Foreign Governments and Organizations:

Ties to Extremist Entities:

  • Al-Qaeda

    Al-Nusra Front has a long and proven history of serving as al-Qaeda’s loyal affiliate in Syria. In July 2016, however, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri released an audio statement giving al-Nusra Front formal permission to break ties with al-Qaeda if the link was “conflicting with [al-Nusra Front’s] unity and working as one body.”“Al Qaeda tells Syrian branch Nusra Front it can drop links,” Reuters, July 28, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-nusra-front/al-qaeda-tells-syrian-branch-nusra-front-it-can-drop-links-idUSKCN10819R. Hours later, al-Nusra Front leader Abu Muhammad al-Golani formally severed ties with al-Qaeda’s central command.Dania Akkad, “Nusra confirms split with al-Qaeda ‘to protect the Syrian revolution,’” Middle East Eye, July 28, 2016, http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nusra-front-announces-official-split-al-qaeda-520293064. Analysts have long surmised that a formal, or at least artificial, break from al-Qaeda could allow al-Nusra Front the opportunity to attract more funding from Gulf states, consolidate local support, and present itself as a legitimate insurgent group in Syria.Bassem Mroue, “AP EXPLAINS: Why Syria’s al-Qaida may be considering a split,” Associated Press, July 27, 2016, https://apnews.com/d10d759d35824b70b47501d85f0ff8c3; Reuters, “Al Qaeda tells Syrian branch Nusra Front it can drop links,” Reuters, July 28, 2016, http://news.trust.org/item/20160728110801-ogl17. Even as al-Nusra Front formally declared its independence from al-Qaeda, the group thanked al-Qaeda’s leadership for giving “priority to the interests of the people of Al-Sham, their Jihad, [and] their revolution.”“Nusra Front, Abu Mohammed Joulani commander officially announced the disengagement from al-Qaeda and the establishment of a new entity,” YouTube video, postd by “Orient News,” July 28, 2016, (video no longer available) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oossAtDYbrs.

    Yet recent insights have brought into question the artificiality of al-Nusra Front’s break from al-Qaeda. According to al-Qaeda scholar Cole Bunzel, there has been a “profound controversy in jihadi circles surrounding the nature of [HTS], which some argue has lost its way.”Cole Bunzel, “Diluting Jihad: Tahrir al-Sham and the Concerns of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi,” Jihadica, March 29, 2017, http://www.jihadica.com/diluting-jihad/. Among the many critics of HTS is al-Qaeda propagandist Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi. In November 2016, Maqdisi withdrew his support for al-Nusra Front’s break from al-Qaeda, stating that his and Zawahiri’s approval came only on the condition that any such break would be a “superficial step.”Cole Bunzel, “Diluting Jihad: Tahrir al-Sham and the Concerns of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi,” Jihadica, March 29, 2017, http://www.jihadica.com/diluting-jihad/. Instead, Maqdisi claimed that al-Nusra Front’s leadership continued to deviate from al-Qaeda’s central tenets, stating that they “stayed the course till they made it a real breaking of ties” from al-Qaeda.Cole Bunzel, “Diluting Jihad: Tahrir al-Sham and the Concerns of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi,” Jihadica, March 29, 2017, http://www.jihadica.com/diluting-jihad/. Maqdisi and other al-Qaeda hardliners have denounced HTS’s outreach to secular and moderate Islamist rebel factions.Cole Bunzel, “Diluting Jihad: Tahrir al-Sham and the Concerns of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi,” Jihadica, March 29, 2017, http://www.jihadica.com/diluting-jihad/;
    Cole Bunzel, “Abandoning al-Qaida: Tahrir al-Sham and the Concerns of Sami al-‘Uraydi,” Jihadica, May 12, 2017, http://www.jihadica.com/abandoning-al-qaida/.

    For years before the announcement, however, al-Nusra Front had reaffirmed its allegiance to Zawahiri, even in the face of competing claims to its leadership. In April 2013, after Baghdadi unilaterally claimed that al-Nusra Front answered to his al-Qaeda in Iraq group (now ISIS), Golani broke ties with ISIS and affirmed its allegiance to al-Qaeda central.“Syria Crisis: Al-Nusra Pledges Allegiance to Al-Qaeda,” BBC News, April 10, 2013, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-22095099.

  • ISIS

    Al-Nusra Front was allegedly formed as an extension of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI, now ISIS), and received a monthly salary from AQI leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.Thomas Joscelyn, “Al Qaeda in Iraq, Al Nusrah Front Emerge as Rebranded Single Entity,” Long War Journal, April 9, 2013, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/the_emir_of_al_qaeda.php#ixzz3Mw15S2jb. The relationship between the groups deteriorated in April 2013, when Baghdadi unilaterally announced a merger between the two groups.“Syria Crisis: Al-Nusra Pledges Allegiance to Al-Qaeda,” BBC News, April 10, 2013, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-22095099. The two have since engaged in violent clashes, vying for control over rebel-held territory.

  • Hurras al-Din

    Hurras al-Din’s (HaD) core leadership and fighters are comprised of defectors from the former Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra Front, now known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).The Best of Bad Options for Syria’s Idlib, International Crisis Group, March 14, 2019, https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/197-the-best-of-bad-options%20.pdf. The two groups have a contentious relationship, often hurling accusations at one another while also cooperating on the battlefield. According to interviews carried out by Syria expert Aymenn al-Tamimi, HaD’s disputes with HTS are largely at the leadership level and center on HTS’s disavowal of al-Qaeda and HaD’s loyalty to al-Qaeda.Aymenn al-Tamimi, “Hurras al-Din: Interview,” Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi’s blog, July 11, 2019, http://www.aymennjawad.org/2019/07/hurras-al-din-interview.

    On November 27, 2017, Nusra Front leader Abu Mohammad al-Golani ordered the arrests of Sami al-Oraidi, the former head of the group’s Sharia Council; Abu Julaibib al-Urduni, former Nusra Dara’a commander; Iyad Nazmi Salih Khalil, former Jabhat Fateh al-Sham commander; Abu Khadija al-Urduni; and Abu Mussaab al-Libi. All four were prominent Nusra leaders with strong ties to al-Qaeda.Mona Alami, “HTS Continues to Evolve,” Syria Source, December 1, 2017, http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/syriasource/hts-continues-to-evolve. Following these arrests, several members of HTS resigned, and several large factions threatened to break away, prompting Golani to renew negotiations with al-Qaeda that ultimately led nowhere.“Weekly Conflict Summary, November 30–December 6, 2017,” Carter Center, December 6, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.11.30-12.05.pdf. On December 4, 2017, HTS released Urduni in a bid to ease tensions within the group. Urduni immediately renewed his pledge to al-Qaeda upon release.“Weekly Conflict Summary, November 30–December 6, 2017,” Carter Center, December 6, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.11.30-12.05.pdf.

    Subsequently, several subgroups of devoted al-Qaeda supporters defected from HTS. On December 5, 2017, HTS faction Jaish al-Badia defected, creating a new Telegram channel devoted to al-Qaeda. Jaish al-Malahem followed three weeks later, also indicating support for al-Qaeda in its new Telegram channel, while on February 7, 2018, a new al-Qaeda-supporting group, Jund al Shariah, announced its formation. On February 28, 2018, these three groups, along with three other small militant factions, announced a merger under the name Hurras al-Din, or Guardians of the Religion, and declared themselves an unofficial affiliate of al-Qaeda. Oraidi and Urduni both joined HaD’s Shura council and reportedly begun talks with al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to make HaD the official al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. HaD remains at odds with HTS.Tore Refslund Hamming and Pieter Van Ostaeyen, “The True Story of al-Qaeda’s Demise and Resurgence in Syria,” Lawfare, April 8, 2018, https://lawfareblog.com/true-story-al-qaedas-demise-and-resurgence-syria.

    Despite this severe ideological divide, the two groups formed a joint operations room in October 2018.Aaron Y. Zelin, “Huras al-Din: The Overlooked al-Qaeda Group in Syria,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, September 24, 2019, https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/huras-al-din-the-overlooked-al-qaeda-group-in-syria; “Military Groups Calling Themselves ‘the Finest Factions of the Levant’ Form Joint Operations Room,” Syria Call, October 15, 2018, http://nedaa-sy.com/en/news/9078. HTS and HaD militants use this room to conduct offensive and defensive military actions against Syrian regime forces in Latakia, Idlib, Hama, and Aleppo.Aymenn al-Tamimi, “Hurras al-Din: Interview,” Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi’s blog, July 11, 2019, http://www.aymennjawad.org/2019/07/hurras-al-din-interview; Thomas Joscelyn, “Al Qaeda-Linked Operations Room Continues to Attack Assad Regime,” Long War Journal, November 19, 2018, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/11/al-qaeda-linked-operations-room-continues-to-attack-assad-regime.php.

Qatar and the Nusra Front

Qatar stands accused of supporting and funding the Nusra Front.Jay Solomon, “U.S.-Qatar Alliance Strains Coalition... Read More

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on the Nusra Front

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) is a pro-opposition monitoring group. A score of mainstream Western and... Read More

The Nusra Front Pledges Allegiance to Al-Qaeda

On April 10, 2013, Nusra Front leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani released a statement rejecting Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s claim... Read More

Responses to U.S. Designation of the Nusra Front

On December 10, 2012, the U.S. listed the Nusra Front as an alias for al-Qaeda in Iraq (now ISIS). The designation was... Read More

Abu Muhammad al-Golani, May 17, 2021

“HTS is in the stage of preparing and building institutions in preparation for a major war. At the same time we are advancing toward Damascus, because the Syrian regime is collapsing in light of the deteriorating economic situation, in addition to losing all its support. Even the Russians could not protect the regime.”Mohammed Hardan, “HTS finesses tribes in Syria’s Idlib,” Al-Monitor, May 26, 2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/05/hts-finesses-tribes-syrias-idlib.

Abu Muhammad al-Golani, January 14, 2019

“We consider the PKK to be an enemy of this revolution. It controls areas inhabited by large numbers of Sunni Arabs…We are in favor of this region being liberated from the PKK ... We would not stand in the way of an operation against an enemy of the revolution.”“PKK is ‘enemy’ of Syria revolution, says jihadist leader,” Rudaw, January 14, 2019, http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/140120195.

Abu al-Fatah al-Farghali, January 15, 2019

“HTS can’t strive to obstruct the liberation of Sunni Muslims [east of the Euphrates] from the rule of the atheists [YPG/SDF] even if that is at hands of the secularists [Turkey] less far from the religion.”Aymenn J Al-Tamimi, Twitter Post, January 15, 2019, 12:14 p.m., https://twitter.com/ajaltamimi/status/1085223662213648390.

Abu Muhammad al-Golani, August 22, 2018

“The weapons of the revolution and jihad... are a red line on which concessions are unacceptable, and they will never be put on the negotiations table…We urge our people in Aleppo to remain steadfast. The mujahideen will not fail you.”Alex Macdonald, “Syrian militant leader slams Turkey and defends evacuations in new video,” Middle East Eye, August 22, 2018, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-hayat-tahrir-sham-leader-slams-turkey-and-defends-evacuations-new-video-91127761.

Abu Muhammad al-Golani, August 2018

“The red line [ceasefire deal between Turkey and Russia] is never negotiable and will never be put on the negotiating table.”Sam Heller, Twitter Post, September 19, 2018, 2:53 a.m., https://twitter.com/AbuJamajem/status/1042305558156591104.

Abu Muhammad al-Golani, January 2018

“[We must engage in] a war of ideas, a war of minds, a war of wills, a war of perseverance.”Sune Engel Rasmussen, “As Islamic State Fades in Syria, Another Militant Group Takes Root,” Wall Street Journal, April 18, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-islamic-state-fades-in-syria-another-militant-group-takes-root-1524064045.

Abu Muhammad al-Golani, July 28, 2016

“This new organization [al-Nusra Front, renamed the Levantine Conquest Front] aims to fulfill the following: 1. Work toward establishing the religion of Allah (swt), having his shariah (law) as legislation…”Orient News, “Nusra Front, Abu Mohammed Joulani commander officially announced the disengagement from al-Qaeda and the establishment of a new entity,” YouTube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oossAtDYbrs; Dania Akkad, “Nusra confirms split with al-Qaeda ‘to protect the Syrian revolution,’” Middle East Eye, July 28, 2016, http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nusra-front-announces-official-split-al-qaeda-520293064.

Abu Muhammad al-Golani, July 28, 2016

“[We will continue] fulfilling the requests of the people of Al Sham to expose the deceptions of the International community, the leaders being the U.S. and Russia…”“Nusra Front, Abu Mohammed Joulani Commander Officially Announced the Disengagement from al-Qaeda and the Establishment of a New Entity,” YouTube video, posted by “Orient News,” July 28, 2016, (video no longer available) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo.

Abu Muhammad al-Golani, July 28, 2016

“[In formally splitting from al-Qaeda, we are not] compromising or sacrificing our solid beliefs or laxity in the necessity of the continuity of the Jihad of Al-Sham.”“Nusra Front, Abu Mohammed Joulani Commander Officially Announced the Disengagement from al-Qaeda and the Establishment of a New Entity,” YouTube video, posted by “Orient News,” July 28, 2016, (video no longer available) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo.

Daily Dose

Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.

Fact:

On May 8, 2019, Taliban insurgents detonated an explosive-laden vehicle and then broke into American NGO Counterpart International’s offices in Kabul. At least seven people were killed and 24 were injured.

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