Tahrir al-Sham currying favor with West

Aya Ezz

Tahrir al-Sham, which is active in northern Syria, Curries favor with the west and the United States in particular.

Tahrir al-Sham Commander Abu Mohamed al-Julani appeared recently, while wearing a suit, with American journalist Martin Smith. He seemed to be in a new bid to improve his image.

He said his organization would take a number of decisions in northern Syria in the coming period.

Choices

The International Crisis Group published a lengthy report about the choices of the new administration in the US, especially when it comes to Idlib in northern Syria.

The group called for removing Tahrir al-Sham from the American terror list.

It called for opening channels of communication with Tahrir al-Sham and its commander and also backing it in Idlib.

The group considered Idlib to be a good chance for the new American administration to redefine its counterterrorism strategy.

Suggestions

The group suggested that the new administration put pressure on Tahrir al-Sham so that it can act in a way that addresses international and local fears.

It also said Tahrir al-Sham can take specific measures in order to get rid of its terrorist designation.

It added that the organization also has to stop using violence so that it can be considered a viable party for negotiations on the future of the region.

The International Crisis Group said Tahrir al-Sham has to take all the aforementioned measures and also maintain them so that it can address international an local fears from it.