Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, various local militant groups have risen to prominence.

Among them, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has emerged as the most powerful armed faction in northwest Syria, despite the collapse of numerous other militant groups through defeat or mergers. HTS has managed to maintain its strength by adapting to Syria's constantly shifting political landscape, positioning itself as a formidable force that continues to control significant parts of the country.

Formation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was formed in January 2017 through the merger of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (JFS) with several Syrian opposition groups, including Ansar al-Din, Jaysh al-Sunna, and Nour al-Din al-Zenki. JFS was previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Nusra Front) but rebranded after its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, attempted to sever ties with al-Qaeda in 2016.

Jabhat al-Nusra, founded in 2012, was initially aligned with al-Qaeda. In 2013, al-Julani rejected an opportunity to merge with ISIS and instead reaffirmed his allegiance to al-Qaeda, making Jabhat al-Nusra the official al-Qaeda branch in Syria. In July 2016, Jabhat al-Nusra cut ties with al-Qaeda and rebranded as JFS.

Al-Julani's efforts to consolidate power and unite factions under HTS in 2017 were supported by clerics, including Saudi-born preacher Abdullah al-Muhaysini. However, some former members of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (JFS) broke away to form Hurras al-Din, a group that maintains ties to al-Qaeda.

HTS also formed the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) in November 2017 as part of its broader strategy to consolidate control in Idlib province.

While presented as a civilian governing body, the SSG operates largely under HTS's influence, with the group's leaders shaping its policies and actions.

Context of HTS's formation and Astana talks

Despite several rounds of peace negotiations, including the Astana talks initiated in 2017 by Turkey, Russia, and Iran to find a solution to the Syrian crisis, Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, now the main faction in HTS, rejected the process.

The group accused the talks of being part of a broader conspiracy to undermine the Syrian revolution and considered Russia's involvement as tacit approval of the continued rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

The Astana talks aimed to de-escalate the conflict by creating "de-escalation zones." However, they did not include all parties to the conflict, notably excluding HTS, ISIS, and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). These political and military challenges and infighting among opposition factions created the conditions for HTS to forge a new path.

Ideological direction

Since its formation, HTS has carefully cultivated an image of independence, seeking to distance itself from its jihadist origins.

The militant group insists it is not merely a continuation of past extremist factions but rather a new entity focused on resolving internal divisions within the Syrian insurgents and uniting forces against President Bashar al-Assad's government.

Despite its al-Qaeda roots, HTS's primary goal remains the overthrow of the Syrian government, positioning itself as the leading force in the next phase of the Syrian conflict.

HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani has pledged to escalate the group's military campaign against Assad, framing the formation of HTS as a unified front in the ongoing struggle.

As the war continues, HTS remains one of the most resilient factions vying for control over Syria's fractured landscape, maintaining its strategic significance despite shifting political and ideological goals.