HTS leader Mohammad al-Jolani. Photo courtesy of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security.
The UN is currently debating how to provide aid to the Islamic extremist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has seized control of much of Syria.
Last year, U.S. taxpayers contributed over $10 billion to the UN, and now some of those funds risk being diverted to a terrorist organization actively opposing the U.S.-backed Kurds in their fight against ISIS.
This not only undermines U.S. foreign policy in the region but also directly benefits HTS in its conflict with Kurdish forces.
Moreover, it lends legitimacy to HTS, especially as the Biden administration has removed the bounty on the group’s leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani (aka Ahmed al-Sharaa).
The EU has sent representatives to meet with him, seemingly taking the first step toward recognizing him as the official head of state.
Last year, U.S. taxpayers contributed over $10 billion to the UN, and now some of that money may be diverted to HTS, a group in direct conflict with the U.S.-backed Kurds, who are key allies in the ongoing fight against ISIS.
This not only undermines U.S. foreign policy in the region but also creates an opportunity for ISIS to regain strength while channeling funds to a terrorist organization.
“The Christians and the Kurds are pretty scared,” reported a Free Burma Rangers (FBR) team leader currently on the ground in Syria.
He noted that heavy fighting has continued between Turkish-backed forces and the Kurds.
“We don’t know how it’s going to turn out,” he added, highlighting the uncertainty and tension in the region.
He went on to explain that talks between HTS and “Mazloum,” or “Mazloum Abdi,” the commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Kurds continue to fight against the Syrian National Army (SNA), another Islamic militant group that has seized control of parts of the country.
The FBR team leader noted that while peace would be ideal, “anything that weakens the SNA and Turkish positions is a good thing for the Kurds and a good thing for stability.”
Although HTS and the Kurds are engaged in negotiations, it remains highly imprudent for the West to recognize or provide funding to HTS.
The prospect of the United Nations (UN) or other international bodies indirectly supporting the group under the guise of humanitarian assistance is deeply concerning.
Such funding risks empowering HTS to consolidate its power, perpetuate violence, and further marginalize minorities, directly undermining the principles of impartial and inclusive aid.
Given HTS’s designation as a terrorist organization under international sanctions, providing direct aid to the group would likely constitute a clear violation of international law.
At the same time, the humanitarian crisis in Syria is undeniable, with more than half of the population displaced and people on the ground in desperate need of assistance.
A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution, such as 2664 (2022), could potentially ease sanctions to allow funding for humanitarian aid.
However, there is no guarantee that such funding would not fall into the hands of HTS. A significant portion of this funding would come from U.S. taxpayers.
In 2023, the U.S. was assessed to cover 22% of the UN’s regular budget, which finances administrative costs and core programs, and 27% of its peacekeeping budget.
Beyond these mandatory contributions, the U.S. also provides substantial voluntary funding to various UN agencies and initiatives, including humanitarian aid.
For instance, in 2024, the U.S. contributed over $10 billion, representing nearly half of the funds received for UN aid appeals.
Apart from potential UN funding, HTS has several established revenue sources. Initially, the jihadist movement relied on traditional militant tactics such as extortion and oil smuggling.
Today, it generates significant income through taxation within its stronghold in Idlib and from border crossings with Turkey, including the Bab al-Hawa crossing, which alone brings in up to $15 million monthly.
Additionally, HTS has captured and manufactured its own weapons, including drones, some of which may have been reverse-engineered using prototypes sourced from outside Syria, potentially including Ukraine.
Experts suggest that HTS is seeking legitimacy and resources to rebuild Syria while maintaining its independence from traditional state actors, marking a significant shift in its operational model since its al-Qaeda affiliation and rebranding in 2017.
However, recognizing HTS as a governing authority would endanger ethnic minorities and fail to address the grievances of much of the population, who are already protesting against its rule.
Public discontent over poor infrastructure, high taxation, and inadequate governance under HTS has fueled widespread tensions within its quasi-state administration.
Unfortunately, the Western world, particularly the UN, often opts for the path of least resistance by recognizing despots who seize control as a quick means of “stabilizing” situations.
Such an approach, if applied to HTS, would likely exacerbate instability, perpetuate attacks on Kurdish forces by Turkey-backed groups, and accelerate the ongoing resurgence of ISIS.
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