The UN commission of inquiry in its latest report highlighted the ongoing protests in Syria happening since February 2024. It highlighted how in the northwest, Syrians condemned Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's (HTS) abuses, including torture and deaths in detention. It mentioned how in May 2024, protests spread to the northeast over reduced wheat prices, affecting livelihoods. People demanded detainee releases, governance reforms, and the removal of HTS leader Abu Muhammad Al-Jawlani. Now, the situation in Syria has further deteriorated. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country losing to these Misogynistic Terrorists. Now, what will happen to Women and children is anybody's guess. Will Syria again see the likes of the greatest women physicians like Sabat Islambouli? This article sheds light on HTS and its leader.
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Syrian flag
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What is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)?
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a UNSC-designated terrorist group with members between 5000 and 10000. Established in 2017, the Syria-based Sunni Islamist insurgent group led by Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani. The HTS's primary focus was to attack the Assad regime and replace it with its government run by a fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law.
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HTS
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UN has reported that HTS terrorists indiscriminately attacked densely populated areas in a fight with the Assad regime. Children were targeted while at school, parents while at the market, and patients while in the hospital, in the war between HTS and the Assad regime.
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Syrian women and children during war
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Who is Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani?
Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani was born to educated Syrian parents in Saudi Arabia. His father greatly influenced him. Influenced by the Palestinian uprising, he felt compelled to defend his nation at the age of 18.
In 1989, Abu Muhammed al-Jawalani's family returned to Syria. In 2003, he joined al-Qaeda. After being detained by US military forces, he returned to Syria in 2011 at the start of the Syrian Civil War. He split from al-Qaeda in 2016 due to strategic differences. In 2017, the Nusra Front joined forces with other anti-regime groups in northwestern Syria to form HTS.
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Muhammed Al-Jawlani
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What lies ahead for Syria?
The leader of HTS views suicide bombers as an honourable weapon to fight the enemy, according to his interpretation of Islam. He is also the same leader who has stated his intent to impose Islamic Sharia law in Syria, a country once known for its progress in women's empowerment.
Sabat Islambouli, a Syrian doctor, was among the pioneering female doctors in the world, practising medicine during a time when the profession was predominantly male, even in fields like gynaecology. At that time, it was widely believed that women who pursued education were prone to neurological disorders, uterine conditions, and hysteria. Her achievements continue to inspire millions of women, particularly Syrian women.
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Sabat Islambouli
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During its war with Assad, the HTS terrorist group discriminated against women and girls, including restricting their freedom of movement. Now, with HTS poised to rule Syria, the implementation of Sharia law seems inevitable, leaving many women to wonder if they will ever be able to follow in Sabat Islambouli's footsteps or if they will be confined to wearing burqas, as seen in Afghanistan.
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Sharia Law Ethical Code: Women wearing Burqa
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Only time will tell.