The empire takes Syria

Editor's note: It's all about economic warfare with the end justifying the means. For the so-called US "rules-based order" it's might makes right. That idea is the main component for war. The UK-US (British brains; American muscle) have used every tool at their disposal to take Syria and the following reports demonstrate this fact. The UK-US-NATO axis of geopolitical power have trained, provided logistics for, incited (Islamic jihad), armed (including from Libyan stockpiles) and financed the original ISIS™ terrorist™ mercenary army who rampaged through Syria beginning in 2011 (the beginning of the dirty war on Syria) that have subsequently split into various groups the most recent being HTS. By the time the UK-US's HTS catalyst in Syria are finished there are going to be a lot of dead Syrians piling up on the cities of Syrian cities.

Manufacturing rebels: How the UK and US empowered HTS
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Black Money, Black Flags: How USAID Paved the Way For Syria's Militant Takeover

December 26, 2024 | By Alexander Rubinstein

As the designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) establishes its proto-government in Idlib, notoriously corrupt NGOs are stepping in to fill the gaps in public services, with some even defecting to work alongside the group.

The United States, which spent two decades and $5.4 trillion overthrowing governments hostile to al-Qaeda, now finds itself in a paradoxical position. Modern al-Qaeda has carved out its own quasi-state in Syria, yet remains on the U.S. list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. To characterize this as a foreign policy misstep would be reductive; the U.S. has actively facilitated HTS's conquest of parts of Syria while maintaining its official terrorist designation.

For the past five years, HTS, an al-Qaeda offshoot, has sought to rehabilitate its image. Its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani—a former high-ranking member of both ISIS and al-Qaeda—has led a calculated charm offensive, attempting to rebrand the group from one focused on violence and minority persecution to a more palatable local governance entity.

Since establishing HTS and a proto-government called the Syrian Salvation Government, or SSG, the group's leader, al-Jolani has expended a good deal of energy talking about topics intended to normalize the idea of a-Qaeda's statehood; things like 'institutions,' and 'structures.' This, coupled with al-Jolani's sudden embrace of Syria's diverse tapestry of minority groups, has made up the main pillars of the terror group’s rebrand. Al-Jolani himself credits the establishment of quasi-state structures for the group's sudden success in taking over Syria.

From 'Terrorist' to 'Freedom Fighter': How the West Rebranded Al-Qaeda's Jolani as Syria's 'Woke' New Leader

From CNN interviews to glowing profiles, Western outlets are working overtime to frame Al-Qaeda’s Abu Mohammad al-Jolani as Syria's new, diversity-friendly leader., Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, Al Qaeda in Syria, al-Julani Israel policy, Bashar al-Assad ousted, CNN Jolani interview, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Jolani Washington Post profile, media portrayal of al-Julani, Syria leadership change, U.S.

Mint Press News | By Alan Macleod | December 13. 2024

This shift in focus from the elimination of infidels to the establishment of good governance was given the spotlight in an article in the Telegraph entitled 'How Syria's 'diversity-friendly' jihadists plan on building a state.' Published five days before President Assad fled the country, the article seemingly understood a total takeover by HTS to be a fait accompli.

In March this year, Jolani addressed a cohort of top students at Idlib University, saying that rebels would have to build governments in the middle of war – rather than after the conflict ends. "Every brick built in the liberated areas advances us hundreds of kilometres towards our fundamental goal, which is the liberation of Damascus – God willing," he said.

He is now putting the principle into practice, with a host of blandly titled bureaucratic bodies springing to life in Aleppo.

Garbage collection has already begun and electricity and water services have been reconnected.

HTS has distributed phone numbers for local residents to enquire about administrative services The General Zakat Commission, an Islamic tax collection agency that also deals with the poor, has started to distribute emergency baskets of bread, while HTS's General Organization for Grain Trade and Processing has provided fuel to bakeries to make sure they can continue production.

In total, the Ministry of Development and Humanitarian Affairs claims it has delivered 65,000 loaves of bread to locals in a campaign they are dubbing "Together We Return".

In a sign that their proto-state has its eye on international legitimacy as well as local favour, HTS's Political Affairs Department has provided phone numbers for foreigners and diplomats seeking to leave the city…

They also make sure to highlight the diversity of Syrian culture and heritage, stating "Aleppo is a meeting place of civilization with cultural and religious diversity for all Syrians.

On the road to Damascus, al-Jolani borrowed the Biden Administration mantra "Diversity is our strength." And in an interview with CNN, he was asked outright: "In a matter of days, you have taken major cities. What's changed? How were you able to do this now?" Al-Jolani replied:

In recent years, there has been the unification of internal opinions and the establishment of institutional structures within the liberated areas of Syria. This institutionalization included the restructuring within military factions… The revolution has transitioned from chaos and randomness to a state of order, both in civil and institutional matters and in military operations alike."

CNN international correspondent Jomana Karadsheh would ask al-Jolani whether he still planned to implement "strict Islamic rule," again, al-Jolani shifted the focus toward institutions.

Please go to Mint Press News to continue reading.
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More:

HTS names UN-designated 'terrorist' as Syria's new intelligence chief

In service to empire

Securing US economic interests in Syria:

Pentagon Reveals 2,000 US Troops Are in Syria – More than Double What Was Previously Reported

Making demands on Iran and not the UK-US empire responsible for what is transpiring in Syria? That "new Syrian government" is a UK-US proxy government.

New Syria government to demand $300 billion in compensation from Iran over war damage

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