Posted on Dec 10, 2024
SGT James Murphy
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ISIS or Hamas is not running the new Syrian leadership. The recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime has led to a complex and evolving situation in Syria, but neither ISIS nor Hamas are in control of the new government. Here's a breakdown of the current situation:

## New Leadership

The primary group that has taken control in Syria is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani (also known as Ahmed al-Shara)[1][5]. HTS spearheaded a coalition of rebel groups that rapidly captured major cities and eventually took control of Damascus, forcing Assad to flee the country[2][5].

**Key points about HTS:**

- HTS was formerly known as the al-Nusra Front and was once affiliated with al-Qaeda[4][6].
- Al-Jolani claims to have severed ties with al-Qaeda years ago and has vowed to establish a representative and religiously tolerant government[1][5].
- However, HTS is still designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and other Western nations[4][5].

## Ongoing Challenges

While HTS is currently the dominant force, the situation in Syria remains fluid and complex:

1. Multiple factions: Various armed groups are operating within Syria, including the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces[5].

2. ISIS threat: Although not in control, ISIS remains a concern. U.S. forces have conducted strikes against ISIS targets to prevent the group from exploiting the current instability[2][4].

3. International response: The U.S. and other nations are cautiously observing the situation, with concerns about potential extremist influence in the new government[4].

## Transition Process

The new leadership is taking steps to establish a government:

- A new prime minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, is leading the opposition's Salvation Government[8].
- The former prime minister under Assad has expressed willingness to transfer authority to the new administration[8].
- HTS leader al-Jolani has declared intentions to establish a government with "institutions chosen by the people"[5].

In conclusion, while the situation in Syria remains uncertain and potentially volatile, the new leadership is not being run by ISIS or Hamas. Instead, it is primarily under the control of HTS, a group with a complex history and uncertain future intentions.

Citations:
[1] https://apnews.com/article/syria-assad-rebels-war-israel-a8ecceee72a66f4d7e6168d6a21b8dc9
[2] https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/syria-war-rebels-assad-israel-12-09-24/index.html
[3] https://carnegieendowment.org/middle-east/diwan/2024/12/bashar-al-assad-of-syria-has-been-ousted-from-power?lang=en
[4] https://www.npr.org/2024/12/10/nx-s1-5222357/syria-assad-rebels-what-comes-next
[5] https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/09/middleeast/syria-assad-rebels-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html
[6] https://www.cfr.org/expert-brief/syria-after-assad-what-know-about-hts-hezbollah-and-iran
[7] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/12/8/syria-war-live-news-opposition-groups-say-al-assad-rule-is-over
[8] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/12/10/live-israel-bombards-syria-as-opposition-seeks-to-form-new-government
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Responses: 4
SSG William Jones
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Bad Times at Ridgemont High!!!
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LTC Trent Klug
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Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. They will still be an enemy to freedom.
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CPL Douglas Chrysler
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What's the difference?
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SGT James Murphy
SGT James Murphy
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Al-Qaeda, a militant Islamist organization, has committed numerous atrocities over the years. Here are some notable examples:

Bombings and Attacks: Al-Qaeda was directly responsible for the September 11 attacks in 2001, where nearly 3,000 people were killed in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. They also orchestrated the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 1998, killing 224 people and injuring over 5,000. Other significant attacks include the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen, which killed 17 U.S. sailors, and the 2002 Bali bombings, where 202 people were killed.
Beheadings and Executions: Al-Qaeda affiliates have been involved in gruesome acts such as beheadings. For instance, they posted videos of beheadings of hostages like Nick Berg in Iraq, and there have been reports of similar acts against various individuals, including Daniel Pearl, Paul Johnson, and Kim Sun-il.
Sectarian Violence: In Iraq, Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) has been accused of inciting sectarian violence by targeting the Shiite population, aiming to provoke a civil war. This included mosque bombings, massacres of civilians, and other provocative attacks against religious targets.
Attacks on Religious Minorities: Al-Qaeda has also targeted religious minorities, notably Christians in various regions. There are reports of Christians being tortured, killed, and their places of worship destroyed by Al-Qaeda affiliates, particularly in Syria.
Mass Killings and Torture: In Syria, Al-Qaeda affiliates have been accused of massacring Alawites, executing former officials publicly, and torturing Syrian Christians, often filming these acts. These actions have been described as violations of human rights and international law.


The organization's methods and the scale of its atrocities have contributed to a widespread recognition of Al-Qaeda as a significant and dangerous terrorist group.
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CPL Douglas Chrysler
CPL Douglas Chrysler
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SGT James Murphy I know all that, what I'm saying is will the citizens find relief in their every day lives.
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