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posted ago by purkiss80 ago by purkiss80 +29 / -0

The rebel offensive was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist group that burst out of its stronghold in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib less than two weeks ago.

HTS has its roots in the jihadist al-Qaeda, but since its founding in 2017 has tried to reposition itself as a more moderate Syrian nationalist organisation.

Its leader Ahmad al-Sharaa - better known by his nom-de-guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani (also written Jawlani or Julani) - insists that he will work to create a tolerant, civilised nation where religious and ethnic minorities can live peacefully.

Speaking to Sky News, the leader said that foreign countries have nothing to fear from Syria following the toppling of the al-Assad regime.

He said: 'The country will be rebuilt, The fear was from the presence of the regime. The country is moving towards development and reconstruction. It's going towards stability.

'People are exhausted from war. So the country isn't ready for another one and it's not going to get into another one.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14178497/ISIS-massacres-dozens-fleeing-Assad-troops-EU-warns-huge-risk-Syria-descending-sectarian-violence-Islamist-rebel-leader-insists-West-fear.html