Rebels in the centre of Aleppo remove a portrait of Bashar al-Assad.Photo: EPA.
ALEPPO, 6 December – A week after Islamist rebels captured Syria’s second largest city, Aleppo has begun to gradually come back to life. This is reported by Time Ukraine Israel, citing Reuters.
Nighttime curfews have been lifted, bread is back on the shelves in bakeries, and traffic police are regulating traffic at intersections. Internet coverage has also improved due to the expansion of the rebel-affiliated telecommunications network, as confirmed by local residents and Reuters footage.
Photo: Reuters.
A new order from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
These changes were part of the strategy of the alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group. This organisation, which was previously an affiliate of al-Qaeda, is trying to show Syrians and the international community that it can become a viable alternative to the Bashar al-Assad regime. However, HTS is still a terrorist organisation for the United States, Turkey and the United Nations.
Local residents note some progress in the return of basic services. “We expected the worst, but the rebels have organised the city well,” said Mohammad Khalil, owner of a travel company. At the same time, residents complain about uneven water supply and other problems.
HTS’s previous experience in civilian administration
The HTS, which distanced itself from al-Qaeda in 2016, is already governing the neighbouring province of Idlib through a Government of Salvation that manages nearly three million people. In this province, the organisation has set up cabinets of ministers, introduced the Turkish lira as legal tender, and even launched a mobile network, Syria Phone, which now operates in Aleppo.
However, extending control to Aleppo is a more difficult task. The city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has historic minority communities, including Christians, Kurds and Armenians, who fear Islamist rule. HTS tries to reassure these communities by issuing statements about security guarantees.
Western reaction and challenges for the rebels
Although HTS has managed to maintain basic services, residents report problems with water supply, littering and the rapid devaluation of the Syrian pound. As winter approaches, there is growing concern about the lack of diesel fuel for heating.
According to Navwar Saban, an analyst at the Harmoon Centre, the insurgents face enormous challenges due to the growing population under their control. In response, HTS is opening centres for government soldiers who want to defect and printing price lists in several currencies.
International recognition and future plans
HTS is trying to demonstrate to the West its desire for a peaceful transition of power. However, the United States remains cautious, reminding that the HTS remains a terrorist organisation.
The leader of the HTS, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, said that the organisation intends to create a “transitional body” to govern Aleppo. According to analysts, this step is aimed at avoiding obstacles to international assistance.
Amid these developments, many Syrians remain concerned about the future of their freedoms. Meanwhile, HTS is expanding its zone of influence to include the city of Hama, which has also come under their control.
