Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS): Eight Diplomatic Missions, Western And Arab, Renew Operations In Damascus; Curfew On Capital Lifted

On December 11 and 12, 2024, the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) in the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)-linked Syrian Salvation Government (SSG)announced the renewal of operations of a series of diplomatic missions in Damascus, including those of Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, and Italy. In another announcement, the Military Operations Command – an operations room including Syrian jihadi group HTS and other jihadi and anti-regime militant factions – declared the end of the curfew that had been imposed on Damascus and its environs and repeated that ”all rebels” are forbidden to harm individuals or property.

The following is a review of the statements issued by bodies affiliated with HTS on December 11 and 12, 2024:

On December 11, 2024, the Military Operations Command issued an order declaring that the curfew in Damascus and the surrounding countryside had been lifted, and urging locals to return to work and participate in “building the new Syria.”[1]

On the following day, the Military Operations Command issued another order urging “all rebels and free people” to obey its instructions banning attacks on individuals and property, warning that any “individual act” in violation of these instructions would result in severe punishment.[2]

Also on December 12, the DPA issued a brief statement in Arabic thanking Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, and Italy for resuming operations at their diplomatic missions in Damascus. It noted that Qatar and Turkey had stated that they will soon reopen their embassies in Syria, and vowed that the Syrian people will not forget these countries’ “honorable stances.” The DPA expressed the hope to “build good relations with all countries that respect the will of the Syrian people, sovereignty of its state, and unity of its territory.”[3]

It is notable that on December 10, Telegram channels that support HTS announced that according to the DPA, Qatar would be the first country to reopen its diplomatic mission in the Syrian capital, and that the Damascus International Airport would be operational in the coming days.[4] [1] Telegram, December 11, 2024.

[2] Telegram, December 12, 2024.

[3] Telegram, December 12, 2024.

[4] See MEMRI JTTM Report: Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS): ‘Qatar Will Be First To Reopen Its Embassy In Damascus’; Arab Ambassadors Promise High Level Of Coordination With Syrian Transitional Government, December 10, 2024.