On 17 May, reports emerged detailing a brutal crackdown that left numerous protesters injured after an assault by security forces. Witnesses described security forces charging demonstrators with armoured vehicles, wielding batons, firing live ammunition, and deploying tear gas to disperse the crowds.
This crackdown marked a stark departure from the norm that has dominated Syria for over a decade. It was not instigated by the Syrian regime but by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—the de facto governing authority in northwest Syria, where the protests unfolded. Despite the change in the perpetrators' identity, comparisons have been made regarding the striking similarities in the crackdown tactics employed by both parties.
As a result, the threat currently facing HTS extends far beyond the fate of the ongoing protests against its rule. Since its emergence, the group's appeal has largely relied on being perceived as less brutal than the regime. Losing this perception among residents under its control jeopardises not only HTS’s current standing but also its future viability.
Protest triggers
Discontent with HTS erupted over a widespread arrest campaign targeting hundreds of individuals, including senior group members, on charges of espionage. This sparked small-scale protests in the summer of last year. However, demonstrations escalated in late February when HTS leadership decided to release most of the detainees, revealing they had been falsely accused based on confessions obtained under torture.
Shortly after, reports emerged that a rebel fighter had died under torture in HTS custody five months earlier due to the same false espionage charges. HTS then admitted to the killing of the detainee and the burying of his body without informing family members, further fuelling public anger.
Since then, protests have continued to spiral, drawing increasing numbers and spreading to new areas in several areas of Idleb and the western parts of rural Aleppo. Every Friday, protestors have turned out in their dozens and sometimes hundreds across HTS-held parts of northwestern Syria, including Idlib city, the group's de facto capital.
While participation in the protests is limited relative to the overall population in HTS-held areas, local communities, especially families of detainees, have been notable participants. Released detainees have also joined the demonstrations, sharing their firsthand accounts of mistreatment. Additionally, rival groups, particularly Hizb al-Tahrir and former HTS members, have participated in the protests.
