The Rise of Abu Mohammad al-Jolani and the Escalation of Sectarian Violence in Syria
The late ouster of President Bashar al-Assad gave rise to increased sectarian violence in Syria because of the decisive involvement of HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. HTS began as an al-Qaeda branch while serving as a major force in changing Syria into a space dominated by violent sectarian conflicts instead of achieving peaceful resolutions.
March 2025 brought the most serious sectarian violence yet to Syria’s coast since the start of the civil war. Groups composed of Sunni militias together with armed civilians attacked Alawite communities because of Alawite insurrectionists’ previous attacks. The assailants forced people to declare their religious belief before murdering those who identified as Alawites. The shattering attacks destroyed the remaining stability in the country since Assad left power.
United Nations investigators confirmed that members of complete families who died in attacks included both women and children especially in Tartus and Latakia and Hama areas. UN records show that 111 civilian deaths occurred while the actual casualty count is thought to exceed the documented numbers. Most of these murders took place as sectarian killings because witnesses stated many victims were simply executed because of their religious identities.
Jaysh al-Islam used Al-Jolani’s administration to pursue a diverse approach aimed at creating HTS into what would be portrayed as a non-violent rebel organization. He planned to build a government including all groups while separating HTS from al-Qaeda according to his claims during an interview in December 2024. People doubt his claims due to his previous involvement with the organization and the group’s conducted activities.
The actual situation contradicts what al-Jolani claims. HTS expeditiously captured Damascus along with three other Syrian cities known as Hama and Homs and Aleppo which generated concern about both its governance capabilities and its hidden objectives. HTS tries to establish a moderate front but its extremist foundations together with attacks against religious minorities preserve inter-communal hostility in Syria.
The international community stands cautiously toward HTS’s purported changes. The European Union together with the United States continue to maintain sanctions on the group because of their suspicion regarding its extremist nature and suspected human rights violations. The Syrian UN envoy wishes to review the classification of HTS as a terrorist organization depending on its commitment to protecting minorities and fostering inclusivity.
Al-Jolani together with HTS have reformed Syria’s political map but their activities simultaneously established space for sectarian discrimination to grow throughout the nation. Syria’s permanent peace demands true attempts to welcome everyone while safeguarding every community and working against the dogmas that have dominated the area for so long.
