The leader of Hayar Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, continues to promote his image as moderate and close to the public through a series of propaganda efforts. On June 9, he inaugurated a well project to supply water to several villages in the Druze-majority region of Jabal al-Summaq in the northern countryside of Idlib.
HTS-affiliated Amjad Media Foundation released a video of Golani’s meeting with Jabal al-Summaq notables. He promised to improve conditions there while highlighting the services already provided by HTS and its affiliated Salvation Government.
Golani also stressed that his visit did not contain any political message and was entirely focused on providing services to several areas in northwestern Syria.
However, Golani’s remarks during his visit to Jabal al-Summaq were widely seen as religious and as blaming abuses against locals on HTS. There have also been several questions about the water well project, the details of which have not yet been made public.
During his visit, Golani exonerated himself and his group of any responsibility for the previous attacks and harassment suffered by the population of the region, in reference to the massacre that took place at the hands of members of Jabhat al- Nusra (formerly HTS) in the village of Qalb Loze. from Jabal al-Summaq on June 10, 2015, when 20 Druze were killed.
Days after the massacre, Jabhat al-Nusra said some of its members took part in the incident without orders to do so, in clear violation of leadership guidelines. He sent a delegation to the village to reassure the inhabitants and to point out that what happened was unjust and without the knowledge of the leaders.
Speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, an Idlib-based media activist said: “Golani’s visit to Jabal al-Summaq is a notorious ploy designed to make him look very popular among the residents of the underprivileged areas. his control. But only fools would believe that. Everyone knows that his empty visits, which resemble [Syrian President] Bashar al-Assad’s public appearances cannot hide the disastrous economic and security conditions prevailing in these regions.
Golani has made several public appearances over the past few years to promote his reputation as a moderate leader and boost HTS’s popularity as prices have skyrocketed and living conditions have deteriorated.
In May, videos circulated showing Golani visiting the market in the city of Idlib on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr surrounded by hundreds of heavily armed security forces, some of them in civilian clothes, amid a large crowd of civilians.
In March, the Amjad agency published photos of a meeting between Golani and several prominent figures and dignitaries from northern Syria. The agency said the visit took place at the invitation of residents of the Jabal al-Zawiya area.
Golani was also seen in public on January 31, when he accompanied ministers and officials from the HTS-affiliated Syrian Salvation Government to the Deir Hassan IDP camp. Amjad news agency reported that the visit was part of a campaign to support the displaced during the winter months.
On January 7, Golani attended the inauguration of the Aleppo-Bab al-Hawa road alongside Syrian Salvation Government Prime Minister Ali Keda. The road, which is the first major project carried out in areas beyond the control of the Syrian regime, cost around $2 million and is about three kilometers (two miles) long.
In November 2021, Golani met with representatives of the Salvation Government’s Ministry of Economy, sponsored by the HTS Shura Council, to discuss the economic situation in northern Syria and the bread crisis.
In August 2020 Golani appeared in a restaurant in the city of Idlib. Activists affiliated with HTS posted videos and photos of Golani speaking to civilians and helping to prepare meals. In May 2020, Golani visited a camp in northern Syria and held a hearing for displaced residents.
Wael Alwan, a researcher at the Jusoor Center for Studies and Development residing in Turkey, told Al-Monitor: “Through these projects, Golani seeks to promote its image of closeness to civilians and camp residents. This time he wants to be seen as close to the Druze community in the countryside of Idlib to show that he cares about protecting the various sects in the areas controlled by HTS, just as he promotes his image of someone who protects the Christians. Golani intends to convey to Western countries interested in the Syrian issue the message that he is a moderate leader close to all social components and who enjoys great popularity in the region.
In January, the Washington Post reported that HTS was seeking recognition as a moderate Islamist movement and was working to win local support and recognition by the United States and other countries as a political organization. unmarked by extremism and oppression. HTS also seeks to show the world that it has succeeded in establishing a state in its areas of control in northern Syria and is capable of managing public services as well as economic and educational affairs.
Fadel Abdul Ghani, head of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, told Al-Monitor: “HTS continues to harass religious minorities and prevent them from practicing their rituals freely. These religious denominations are not represented in official bodies governing the region, as HTS only controls the government.”
He concluded: “These visits cannot erase the accusations that HTS is a [terrorist] band.”
