Syria’s Primary Rebel Group Condemns US Embassy for Criticizing Crackdown on Protesters

The main insurgent group in rebel-held northwest Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has criticized the U.S. for its stance on the crackdown on protesters in areas outside government control. The group called on Washington to respect protesters at American universities who have demonstrated against the war in Gaza.

The U.S. Embassy in Damascus had previously expressed support for the rights of all Syrians to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including in Idlib, where protests against HTS have been ongoing. The embassy condemned HTS for its intimidation and brutality against peaceful protesters demanding justice, security, and respect for human rights.

In response, HTS defended its actions, stating that the liberated areas in Syria provide a safe environment for the expression of opinions as long as they do not aim to destabilize the region. The group urged the U.S. Embassy to support the Syrian people in their quest for freedom and dignity against what they called a “criminal regime.”

HTS also highlighted the rights of university students in the United States, emphasizing the need to respect their demands in supporting the Palestinian people and Gaza. The rebel-held region of Idlib is home to over 4 million people, many of whom have been displaced during the ongoing conflict that has claimed the lives of half a million people since 2011.