2 factions operating in Idlib put out statements today concerning the Russian-Turkish ceasefire. Hurras a-Deen's chief, Abu Hummam a-Shami issued a 23-minute recording.
a-Shami lambastes the factions agreeing to the ceasefire, saying they gave up demands for removing the regime.
a-Shami lambastes the factions agreeing to the ceasefire, saying they gave up demands for removing the regime.
Prior to the breakdown of the ceasefire in April 2019, Hayat Tahrir a-Sham (HTS) and the Turkish-supported National Liberation Front (NLF), were largely abiding by the ceasefire. HTS even constrained Hurras' ability to carry cross-line attacks.
a-Shami rejects the new ceasefire, calling on the factions to continue fighting and carrying out guerrilla attacks, infiltration, suicide bombings. He presents the struggle in Syria as one between "the enemies of God" & "God's soldiers" to protect their religion.
a-Shami assails Turkey: "We realized the danger of this conspiracy [Astana/Sochi deals] & warned everyone to stop it, but the poisonous funds of the supporters [Turkey], and the honeyed promises of the guarantors [Turkey & Russia], weakened the resolve for battle among many."
HTS also put out a statement. While Hurras' statement is laden with religious rhetoric (first 6 minutes are just verses, basically) & sectarian invectives, HTS' statement rarely mentions God & does not use any sectarian language.
Instead, HTS' statement refers to the Syrian "revolution" 12 times and presents HTS as part of it.
See translation by @ajaltamimi aymennjawad.org/2020/03/hayat-…
See translation by @ajaltamimi aymennjawad.org/2020/03/hayat-…
HTS rejects some clauses of the deal, apparently referring to the entry of Russian patrols into rebel-held areas, a consistent stance by HTS, thus far. It rejected more forcefully previous ceasefire deals too, but has largely complied with them since 2017.
The most shocking aspect of the statement, which made me reach out to HTS officials to verify its veracity (it's real), is the gratitude expressed toward the Turkish government. Just 3 weeks ago, Jolani thanked the Turkish people, not government aymennjawad.org/2020/02/interv…
The jarring disparity between the 2 statement highlights the rhetorical shift HTS has undergone in recent years (which is accompanied by change in conduct on the ground when it comes to upholding ceasefires, cooperating w/ Turkey & private communications)
One thing has not changed about HTS - its authoritarian conduct. For civilians living in Idlib, this is of great importance. Turkey is now in a position to pressure HTS on this front. I wrote more on this here: foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/19/idl…
