The Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which took over as the country’s new ruling entity after deposing president Bashar al-Assad, now finds itself navigating the complex path of gaining international recognition and legitimacy. The HTS, which had long been labelled a terrorist organisation because of its links to extremist groups like Al-Qaeda, was largely shunned by the international community, but foreign governments are now cautiously engaging with the group, weighing the prospects of stability against the historical baggage of its extremist past.
The change in leadership came on December 8, when Assad escaped to Russia as advancing rebel forces seized control of Damascus. Since then, the international community has been grappling with the implications of a Syria under the rule of an Islamist faction with a controversial history. HTS’s leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, has aggressively pushed for international recognition and the lifting of sanctions that were imposed under Assad’s regime. “They should lift all restrictions, which were imposed on the aggressor and the victim—the aggressor is gone now,” he said in a statement. His remarks underline the urgency felt by the HTS in shedding its terrorist label and securing vital support for Syria’s reconstruction.
As part of its diplomatic efforts, the HTS has engaged with key international players. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK government had established direct contact with the group, acknowledging their past terrorist designation but emphasising the need to engage in dialogue to secure regional stability. He also promised humanitarian aid to the Syrian people and reiterated support for the establishment of a "representative government" in Syria, a goal shared by many international stakeholders. The UK is set to release £50 million in humanitarian aid to vulnerable Syrians, signalling the West’s willingness to engage, albeit cautiously, with the new leadership.
Similarly, the United States, while still labelling HTS as a terrorist organisation, has confirmed direct diplomatic contact with the group. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the complexity of these interactions, noting that the US and its allies should tread carefully in their engagement with HTS, considering the group’s past associations with extremist factions. However, Blinken also spoke about the importance of stabilising Syria and addressing the humanitarian crisis, which remains dire after years of civil war.
The United Nations is also playing a central role in initiating discussions with the new Syrian leadership. Geir O. Pedersen, the UN’s special envoy to Syria, met with Jolani shortly after the takeover. In a statement, he underscored the importance of swift action to rebuild Syria’s economy, maintain its territorial integrity, and provide essential aid to those affected by the conflict. Pedersen stressed that efforts to secure a stable and unified Syria must be accompanied by justice and accountability for past war crimes, a sentiment shared by many in the international community. The UN has called for a credible justice system to handle the atrocities committed during the civil war, ensuring that there is no revenge against Assad’s supporters.
European countries have been among the most cautious in their approach to the HTS. The European Union has made it clear that it will not lift sanctions on Syria unless the new government demonstrates a commitment to protecting minority groups and women’s rights and distances itself from extremist ideologies. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said discussions were going on about how to engage with Syria’s new leadership and what steps the international community was prepared to take to ensure the country moved in the right direction.
Countries like Italy, which has maintained a diplomatic presence in Syria since 2018, and France, which is sending a team of diplomats to Syria for the first time since 2012, have begun to make tentative steps toward engaging with the new government. The French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the primary goals of the French diplomatic mission would be to assess the needs of the Syrian population and verify whether the new government’s early statements about calm and the protection of rights were being followed through on the ground.
Turkey, a significant player in Syria’s northwest, has reopened its embassy in Damascus after a 12-year gap, signalling a shift in its policy toward the HTS and Syria’s new leadership. Qatar, which had never restored ties with Assad, also reopened its embassy in Damascus, congratulating the Syrian people for the "success of their revolution."
While diplomatic efforts to engage with Syria’s new leadership continue, the humanitarian crisis remains an urgent priority. The conflict has displaced over 3.75 lakh Syrians in 2023 alone, adding to the millions who already lost their homes. The UN and other international aid organisations have called for an increase in humanitarian aid to address the dire needs of Syria’s population. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said the international community should be prepared to "go big" in providing assistance, as Syria faces enormous challenges in rebuilding its economy and infrastructure.
The economic situation remains precarious. Syria’s economy has shrunk by over 50 per cent since the start of the civil war, and by 2022, nearly 70 per cent of the population was living in poverty. The imposition of sanctions, particularly under the 2019 Caesar Act, has severely limited Syria’s access to international markets and exacerbated its economic woes. The HTS leadership, in its efforts to secure international legitimacy, is pushing for the removal of these sanctions, arguing that lifting them is essential for the country’s recovery.
Despite these efforts, the path to stability remains fraught with challenges. Analysts have cautioned that the HTS must demonstrate its ability to lead in a way that respects Syria’s diverse population and ensures lasting peace. There are also concerns about the group’s ties to extremist elements, which could undermine efforts to build a democratic and inclusive state.
As Syria’s new leaders seek international support and legitimacy, they will need to navigate a delicate balance between diplomacy, governance and the expectations of the global community. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the HTS can successfully transition from a militant group to a legitimate governing entity, and whether Syria can begin to rebuild after more than a decade of devastating conflict.
