 "The reason Syria's rebels are running, not ruining, Aleppo after taking over")
A week after Islamist rebels seized Aleppo in a lightning assault, life in Syria’s second-largest city is beginning to stabilise.
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former Al-Qaeda affiliate that is still designated as a terrorist organisation by the US, Turkey, and the United Nations, is leading the rebel alliance in its most significant territorial gain in years.
Under them, the night-time curfew has been lifted, bakeries are restocked, traffic police are back on duty, and internet access has improved as a rebel-linked telecom network expands.
But why are the Syrian rebels so keen on running Aleppo, and doing it well?
The rapid changes are part of an effort by HTS to present itself as a capable governing force, analysts say.
“We expected the situation to be very bad, but the young men dealt with the city very well,” said Mohammad Khalil, a 52-year-old tourism company owner, while acknowledging that some services, such as water supply, remain inconsistent.
Governing experience from Idlib
HTS, headed by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has honed its governing skills in Idlib province, where it runs a civil administration known as the Salvation Government. For nearly five years, the group has managed services for roughly 3 million people, introducing measures such as using the Turkish lira, establishing an elected cabinet, and creating a mobile network called Syria Phone, which is now operating in Aleppo.
The group has also sought to distance itself from its extremist roots, avoiding harsh interpretations of Sharia law and presenting itself as a more moderate force. It maintains, however, that it poses no threat to the West.
Challenges in a former government stronghold
Unlike Idlib, where HTS gradually consolidated its rule, Aleppo poses a different challenge. The city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was devastated by years of siege and bombardment during Syria’s civil war. It is also home to a diverse population of Christians, Armenians, Kurds, Shi’ite Muslims, and other minorities who have long feared Islamist rule.
To ease concerns, HTS has reassured residents via text messages that their safety will not be jeopardised. The group has promised to maintain basic services and has allowed Christians to continue holding mass, with some rebels attending the service on Sunday.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“The challenges are huge and HTS knows it,” said Navvar Saban, an analyst with the Harmoon Center in Istanbul. “The population under their control is growing, and they need to provide functioning services.”
HTS’s expansion has not stopped in Aleppo. Rebel forces have pushed 130 kilometers (80 miles) further south into the city of Hama, a government stronghold, suggesting their intent to consolidate and expand control in territory previously held by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.
With inputs from Reuters
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