The Taliban, the terrorist organization that rules Afghanistan, is among the global actors celebrating the fall of the Iranian-backed Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, with Sunni jihadist group Hayat Tahrir joining forces after Assad fled the country on Sunday.・Congratulated Al-Sham (HTS).
HTS, an al-Qaeda-derived militia with a repressive politics similar to the Taliban, had been battling Assad's regime for years before making a surprising breakthrough when its fighters captured the city of Aleppo in late November. Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, when President Assad, with support from Iran, the world's biggest sponsor of terrorism, suppressed violent protests by his family against his decades-long rule.
After capturing Aleppo, HTS raided several cities, but met little resistance from Assad's forces. On Saturday, HTS leaders arrived in Damascus and announced that Assad had fled to Russia. HTS is currently in power in Syria and claims: Rely on me The militia's political ally, Mohammed al-Bashir, will serve as “interim” prime minister and seek to build a functional government out of anti-Assad resistance. HTS Leader Abu Mohammed Aljolani said CNN reported last week that he intended to impose an Islamist regime on the country, alarming the country's sizable Christian population.
HTS is an extremist Islamic terrorist organization, but Assad was also responsible for numerous atrocities against his own people before fleeing the country. Since his departure, many political prisoners who have been missing for decades have begun reappearing from detention centers. News agency Al Jazeera published Tuesday's report shows the tortured bodies of political prisoners who died in prison morgues.
The Taliban, which took power in Afghanistan in a similar manner in 2021, welcomed the birth of a new Sunni Islamist government. The jihadists' “Foreign Ministry” referred to President Assad and “the leadership of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) movement and the Syrian people regarding the recent progress that has led to the elimination of conflict and instability factors.” issued a statement celebrating.
“We hope that the remaining stages of the revolution will be managed in a manner that ensures a peaceful, unified and stable regime,” the Taliban jihadists said.
“We hope that the transition process will proceed in a way that lays the foundations for a sovereign, service-oriented Islamic government in line with the aspirations of the Syrian people.” He recommended the application of a general amnesty. The terrorists also called for HTS to adopt “an active foreign policy with countries around the world that protects Syria from the threat of negative competition from foreign actors and creates conditions for the return of millions of refugees.” proposed.
“Furthermore, the IEA Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges all foreign parties involved in Syria to engage in mutual and “We call on both sides to adopt a policy of active engagement and cooperation,” the statement concluded, a message clearly aimed at the U.S. government and the Western world.
Unlike the Afghan Taliban, the HTS is officially affiliated with the U.S. list A designated foreign terrorist organization. The United States is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to al-Jolani's arrest.
But the terror mastermind is trying to present himself as Assad's preferred diplomatic partner. CNN noted that his rebrand includes: blazer The jihadist gushed in a recent profile that he has a “well-groomed beard and is soft-spoken.” Mr. Al Jolani openly spoke openly about his goals to a female CNN reporter who interviewed him with his head covered. sharia However, regarding the country.
“Those who fear Islamic rule are either implementing it incorrectly or do not understand it correctly,” he says. declaredbefore promising to protect minorities.
The Taliban similarly gave the world a “moderate” image after storming Kabul and forcing then-Afghan president Ashraf Ghani to flee. The Taliban are a violent, extremist Islamic group that ruled Afghanistan with an iron fist in the 1990s, virtually erasing women's civil rights and imposing onerous restrictions on the rights of all citizens. The Taliban of 2024 will look a lot like the Taliban of 1997, but before repressive policies return. shariathe group promised an “inclusive” government.
“We will see the establishment of a strong Islamic and inclusive government. inshallah”Taliban top spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters at the first press conference after the fall of Kabul in August 2021. I'll wait until those announcements are made. ”
“We continue to communicate with them and will do our best to ensure that all Afghans are included,” he asserted. “No one should be left behind and no one interested in serving the nation should be ignored. Therefore, the government of the future will be inclusive.”
Since then, the Taliban has imposed near-total bans on women leaving their homes unless necessary, pursuing education, and speaking loudly. In November, Mujahid released a list of the Taliban's “women's rights” achievements.
