HTS Takes Control of Syria, Receives Global Support

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has achieved a significant victory in Syria by ousting President Bashar al-Assad, prompting widespread congratulations from Islamist groups worldwide, including the Taliban and various branches of the Muslim Brotherhood. This victory has raised concerns among groups like Hezbollah and ISIS, who view HTS's success as a dangerous precedent for Islamist movements. HTS aims to establish a new governance model blending national and religious ideologies, which some Islamist activists see as a potential template for other movements. The group has taken control of major cities, including Deir az-Zour and Damascus, and plans to shift Syria towards a free-market economy to attract foreign investment. However, reports of public executions and human rights violations by HTS have sparked skepticism about their commitment to international norms. The international community is closely monitoring HTS's governance as it balances its Islamist roots with the demands of leading a war-torn nation.