HTS Chief: All Armed Groups Will Be Disbanded

In his latest statements, al-Julani addressed three critical issues in Syria: compulsory service, people’s livelihoods, and the future status of armed groups.

Al-Julani stated, “compulsory service in army will not be mandatory. We will consider increasing salaries by 400 percent in Syria. The first priority in Syria is to rebuild destroyed houses and return refugees. All armed groups will be disbanded, and weapons will be in the hands of the government alone.”

Syrian youth, weary of compulsory service in war conditions, and people burdened by the poor economic situation and very low incomes, have become extremely tired and dissatisfied. Any improvements in these areas will likely encourage the Syrian people and lead to popular acceptance, and al-Julani is well aware of this.

However, the dissolution of all armed groups is a highly controversial issue in Syria. By addressing this and taking steps to implement it, al-Julani and Tahrir al-Sham are taking significant risks. With various armed groups throughout Syria, there is a potential for increased tensions and internal conflicts. Successfully navigating this transition will be crucial for him and the new Syrian government.

Additionally, under UN Resolution 2254, Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Al-Nusra Front) has no place in the future Syrian government. Al-Julani is aware of this and is strategically dissolving or merging previous structures, transitioning from an Islamist jihadist with an al-Qaeda background to a leader and government that is accepted both domestically and internationally.