Western doctrines, 3D printed weapons, and a PR strategy: Here's how Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stumped all

Just half a decade ago, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was naught but a struggling Islamist rebel group. It was barely surviving under sustained attacks by the Russian-backed Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.

Now, the HTS is making headlines for mounting a lightning assault and snatching Aleppo from the government.

According to the Financial Times, the group has become a formidable force now. Its base boasts of a military academy, centralised command, specialised units, and, most importantly, a homegrown weapons manufacturing industry.

In Idlib province, HTS has established itself as a proto-military organisation. Its units are now equipped with tanks, drones, artillery, and snipers. Recent operations, including the high-profile raid across northern Syria, have shown the group’s growing capabilities.

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“It has transformed over the past four, five years into essentially a polished proto-military,” Financial Times cited Aaron Zelin, an expert on the group at the Washington Institute, as saying.

Weaponry and drone advancements

HTS has relied on Syria’s abundance of weapons— stemming from arms supplies that have almost flooded the country since the start of the civil war there in 2011— and its own manufacturing efforts.

The group produces drones, missiles, and mortar shells in small workshops. Its members use 3D printers and other such technology to make, from scratch, the parts that they cannot access.

Experts say HTS has leveraged drones for both surveillance and attacks, including a 2023 strike on a Syrian military academy in Homs that killed at least 100 people.

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HTS has also introduced new guided missile systems, such as the “Qaysar,” capable of striking targets dozens of kilometers away, reducing reliance on suicide truck bombs.

Captured equipment, including Russian-made tanks, armoured vehicles, and anti-aircraft systems, has also bolstered HTS’s arsenal. The group’s efforts to operationalise these systems could mitigate its long-standing vulnerability to Russian airstrikes.

A more advanced military structure

While some weapons are of Russian origin, the HTS’ military structure has drawn inspiration from the West. Jerome Drevon, a jihadist expert at the Crisis Group, said that the country has reorganised its military structure, drawing inspiration particularly the British armed forces.

The group now operates with about 30,000 fighters, including 15,000 full-time combatants, reservists, and allied forces.

HTS’s military academy, established two and a half years ago, plays a key role in training fighters. Former Syrian army officers who defected have reportedly helped set up the training program, which includes basic, intermediate, and advanced military instruction.

And a PR strategy!

HTS has evolved in its approach to governance and public perception. Once notorious for its harsh rule, the group has sought to project a more disciplined and tolerant image, including allowing Christian worship in areas under its control.

HTS’s leadership has also emphasised battlefield coordination and social media silence to maintain operational surprise. Recent offensives have seen its fighters take over the major city of Hama. Assad’s forces had to retreat despite support from Russia, Iran, and allied militias.

“HTS has come a long way in five years,” said Drevon. “Now we have to wait and see where they go from here.”