The Age of Political Jihadism : A Study of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham

The Syria-based group now functions more like a government than a nonstate actor, portending a reorientation for the larger jihadist movement. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group previously linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and to al-Qaeda, has evolved in ways that challenge accepted views of “jihadism.” Now ruling over territory in Syria’s northern Idlib and western Aleppo governorates, it functions more like a government than a nonstate actor, and HTS leader Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani is seeking the group’s removal from the U.S. State Department’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. But HTS is hardly anodyne. The group still espouses extremist beliefs that glamorize terrorism abroad, and its fighters fire rockets into civilian areas controlled by the Assad regime. Moreover, HTS hosts other designated groups in its territory, including Jamaat Ansar al-Islam, Katibat Imam al-Bukhari, and Katibat al-Tawhid wal Jihad. In this thought-provoking Policy Focus, illustrated with photographs of HTS personalities and personnel, jihadism expert Aaron Y. Zelin digs deep into the group’s past before reckoning with the implications of Jawlani’s request. Whatever the U.S. decision, he suggests, political jihadism is here to stay. Illustrations Abbreviations Acknowledgments Introduction The Development of Political Jihadism Jawlani’s Path to Political Jihadism From Secrecy to Engagement with Locals Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Historical Baggage External Operations, Guidance, and Inspiration The Terrorism Designation Question Conclusion Legal Criteria for a Terrorism Designation Uthman bin Affan Quranic school, October 2021 Khalid bin al-Walid Quranic school, October 2021 Abd al-Rahim Atun lecturing in Idlib, September 2021 Jawlani discussing bread prices with Syrian Salvation Government Jawlani distributing gifts on Eid al-Fitr, June 2018 Jawlani inaugurating expanded Aleppo–Bab al-Hawa Road with SSG prime minister Confirmation voting for Prime Minister Keda, December 2021 Sawaid al-Khayr members promoting appearance rules for women Banner from SSG’s “Guardians of Virtue” campaign Individual receiving press card from SSG, June 2021 ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra members at Eid al-Adha, October 2013 Rocket launch against Alawites, Latakia governorate, August 2013 HTS member explaining “Bilad al-Sham,” Jisr al-Shughour _gjdgxs _1fob9te _30j0zll