Western governments and mainstream media may have presented the terrorist forces in Syria as pluralist victors, determined to keep the peace and protect minorities, but those of us who have been following the Syrian crisis since the beginning knew better all along.
For his part, Jolani (and HTS) is the new de facto leader of part of the country, even as four other nations launch bombing campaigns inside it, and competing terrorist armies fight with another over territory, religion, or other disputes.
Jolani publicly states that he wants good relations with all neighbors and that all Syrians will have rights and protection.
But the situation on the ground is a bit different.
For instance, 14 members of HTS were killed in Tartous in an ambush by the remnants of the Syrian Army. HTS is engaged in a mission to “pursue Assad loyalists” and “restore order,” though no one is sure just how liberally the term “Assad loyalist” is being applied. Indeed, it has been extended from a targeted search of those who tortured or executed prisoners to “loyalists” in a very short time.
Nevertheless, the clashes lasted at least two days and since spread to the mountain region of Lattakia.