In a series of tweets, Dareen Khalifa from Crisis Group highlighted statements from HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) commander Abu Muhammad al-Jolani on governance in Aleppo. Jolani stated that the city would be overseen by a transitional body, with armed fighters—including HTS—set to leave civilian areas in the coming weeks. Bureaucrats are to be invited back to their posts, and the city’s diverse social and cultural norms, encompassing both Muslim and Christian communities, will be respected.
Notably, Jolani hinted, to the group, about the possibility of HTS dissolving itself to facilitate the creation of unified civilian and military institutions that reflect Syria’s societal diversity. However, Khalifa noted that the feasibility of these proposals remains uncertain, particularly given HTS’s jihadist origins and history.
The situation marks a critical juncture for Aleppo, with internal deliberations ongoing and the outcome likely to shape the city’s future governance.
