Today, Friday, May 31, peaceful protests erupted in various areas of Idlib, northwestern Syria, demanding the overthrow of the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammad al-Jolani.

Protesters also demanded the removal of military manifestations from civilian life, emphasizing the rejection of authoritarianism and unilateral decision-making, according to Enab Baladi’s correspondents in the region.

The protesters also called for the release of detainees and the actual, not just formal, dissolution of the General Security Service, along with holding the security personnel who practiced torture against detainees accountable.

Protesters gathered at the Clock Roundabout in the center of Idlib city, as well as in scattered points in the towns of Binnish, Harbanoush, and various villages in the Jabal al-Zawiya region, Kelli, Qurqania, Abin Sam’an, and in Atarib city west of Aleppo, among others.

The presence of military and security checkpoints affiliated with Tahrir al-Sham or the Salvation Government in the city’s streets was less than in previous weeks, according to Enab Baladi correspondents in Idlib.

Since the end of last February, Tahrir al-Sham has been facing a peaceful movement and demonstrations from civilians, activists, military personnel, and religious officials demanding the overthrow of al-Jolani and rejecting the policy of decision-making monopolization and unilateral power.

After what the protesters considered “cosmetic reforms” by Tahrir al-Sham and the Salvation Government, the demonstrations continued, prompting the group to deploy military forces into the streets.

On May 17, the towns of Binnish and Jisr al-Shughour in rural Idlib witnessed attacks by Tahrir al-Sham members on protesters, preceded three days earlier by an incident of forcibly dispersing a sit-in and removing a protest tent in the center of Idlib.

Following that, Tahrir al-Sham launched an arrest campaign against activists in the movement, accusing them of “practicing intellectual terrorism and exploiting the protesters’ legitimate demands.”

Protesters demand the overthrow of Abu Mohammad al-Jolani in Kafruma camps north of Kelli town in northern rural Idlib – May 31, 2024 (Enab Baladi/Iyad Abdul Jawad)

Washington condemns, HTS responds

On May 29, the United States condemned the practices of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham against peaceful protesters in Idlib, describing the manner of dealing with them as “intimidation and brutality,” akin to the methods of the Syrian regime.

In response, Tahrir al-Sham commented on Washington’s statement, saying that it supports official institutions and emphasizes the importance of civil activities and their integration in building an aware society that respects rights and freedoms under the public interest and its regulations.

In its statement, the HTS highlighted the need to support the Syrian people’s demands for freedom and dignity against the regime, and to preserve the rights of university student demonstrators in the United States and respect their demands in support of Palestine and the people of Gaza.

Protesters demand the overthrow of Abu Mohammad al-Jolani in Kafruma camps north of Kelli town in northern rural Idlib – May 31, 2024 (Enab Baladi/Iyad Abdul Jawad)

On May 25, the Ministry of Interior of the Salvation Government in Idlib hinted at strict measures in dealing with protesters.

According to the ministry’s statement, anyone involved in what it described as “spreading chaos and disrupting public life” has a “last chance” to reconsider their actions and reflect on their behavior.

The ministry also stated that “repenting” from mistakes erases their consequences, and continuing to pursue these “inciting methods” and “spreading discord” necessitates strict measures in dealing with them, as “the liberated areas are a trust, and we will not leave them to the whims of the reckless.”

Protesters demand the overthrow of Abu Mohammad al-Jolani in Kafruma camps north of Kelli town in northern rural Idlib – May 31, 2024 (Enab Baladi/Iyad Abdul Jawad)