5 facts about Syria’s Islamist rebel group HTS and its leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani
4. HTS has pledged to protect Christians, but many are skeptical
Efforts to broaden HTS’ appeal have included outreach to Syria’s religious minorities. Jolani has publicly pledged to protect the rights of Christians and Kurds, groups historically targeted by jihadist factions.
Jolani recently visited Aleppo’s citadel and stated, “Aleppo has always been a meeting point for civilizations and cultures, and it will remain so, with a long history of cultural and religious diversity,” as reported by Al-Monitor.
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Despite assurances, fears persist among Aleppo’s estimated 30,000 Christians, down from hundreds of thousands before the Syrian conflict began in 2011.
As Middle East Eye notes, HTS’ past atrocities, such as forcing Druze conversions and seizing property from minority communities, continue to cast doubt on its sincerity.
“Jabat al-Nusra forced members of the Druze minority to convert to Sunni Islam,” Tamimi was quoted as saying. “HTS has maintained that policy; it hasn’t said to Druze people they can go back to their original religion.”
HTS has often targeted Christians throughout Syria in violent attacks and kidnappings, repeatedly killing Christian civilians and confiscating their property, according to Christian Solidarity International.
