Syria Faces Uncertainty as Islamist Group Takes Power in Damascus

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's leadership raises concerns over rights, minorities, and extremism following Assad's ouster.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTC), formerly linked to Al-Qaeda, has assumed control of Damascus after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024.
The group's leader, Abou Mohammed al-Joulani, has attempted to project moderation but faces scrutiny for past terrorist activities and extremist policies.
Minorities, including Christians and Alaouites, report increased fear and targeted violence, while incidents such as attacks on religious sites have raised alarm.
HTC's governance in Idlib, marked by a strict Islamist rule, is seen as a model for the rest of Syria, but concerns grow over ideological extremism in education and governance reforms.
International actors, including France and Germany, have engaged diplomatically with HTC, sparking debate over legitimizing a group with a history of terrorism.