Interview on situation in Idlib in the aftermath of killing of ISIS leader Haji Abdallah for Seznam Zprávy

Date of publication: February 18, 2022

Tomáš Kaválek from the Prague Centre for Middle East Relations (PCMR) of CEVRO Institute gave an interview to Seznam Zprávy on the current situation in Idlib where US special operation eliminated another Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) leader Haji Abdallah aka Abu Ibrahim al-Quraishi.

Idlib remains of the last strongholds held by Syrian rebels. The dominant group, however, is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Despite efforts to present itself as a moderate actor diverting from al-Qaeda and ISIS discourse, there are no significant changes in ideological or governance practices. HTS simply strives to present itself as a regular actor, improve its international standing and thus have a say in post-war arrangements in Syria. ISIS cadres in Idlib, where Turkey is also militarily present, still find a safe haven there.