Beirut/Amman (Hatha al-Youm) – The ISIS launched a scathing media attack on the Syrian forces and the President of the Transitional Phase, Ahmed al-Sharaa, describing him as representing a "new phase" of subservience to the West.
This is the first official comment by the terrorist organization following the control of the Syrian Army—of which Hayat Tahrir al-Sham forms the nucleus—over prisons and detention camps in northeast Syria that were under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces after their withdrawal due to the attack of al-Sharaa's forces.
In an editorial published by the organization's weekly newspaper "Al-Naba" in its issue released on Thursday, the organization considered that the control of Jolani's (al-Sharaa's) forces over what it called "the prisons and camps of horrors" is not a liberation operation, but rather "the completion of the chapters of the play of handing over power" to entities serving Western interests.
Accusations of Collaboration
The organization based its attack on statements attributed to US President Donald Trump in which he criticized the Kurdish administration , for the organization to project this approach onto Jolani, considering that the West found in him a "new, more loyal dog" to serve its interests in the region instead of the previous proxies.
The editorial pointed out that "the problem with dog breeders is that they do not stick to a specific type," in reference to the fact that Western support for Jolani is temporary and linked to a transitional phase.
Context of Prisons and Camps
This verbal escalation comes in conjunction with field developments that witnessed the entry of "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" forces into areas containing camps and prisons holding families and members linked to the State Organization [ISIS]. The organization mocked the celebration of the Hayat's supporters regarding this progress, saying they "flew with joy at statements by American officials," and confirming that "the main goal of international forces from the Kurdish administration has ended, and they found who fights for them more".
The article stressed that there is no difference for the organization between "one tyrant and another," equating Jolani with other Arab leaders in the region, and considering that his elements follow the paths of ruling regimes "like one sandal matches the other" (exactly step-for-step) .
Veiled Threats
The organization concluded its editorial with veiled threats to "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham," pointing out that the Hayat's elements "pay the tax of democracy" while the organization's elements pay "the tax of Sharia," according to its expression , vowing that the conflict between them is continuous and that "the demise of the people is closer than before".
Against the backdrop of a long history of entrenched hostility, supporters of the State Organization promote a narrative stating that 'al-Sharaa's' arrival to the seat of power in northern Syrian areas was nothing but the price for a security tip-off; as they accuse him of providing the information that led Washington to liquidate Baghdadi, to obtain in return an American green light to consolidate his power.