ALEPPO, Syria — The fanfare that accompanied celebrations held by the rebel group that controls the Idlib province in northwest Syria commemorating the 11th anniversary of the Syrian revolution sparked widespread controversy among jihadis. They believe that by banning Islamic banners and expelling the individuals who raised them during the celebrations held across the Idlib region between March 15 and March 20, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was attempting to polish its image before the international community. They also criticized HTS for allowing what the jihadis described as sins during the celebrations. 

During the anniversary celebrations organized by HTS and the government it runs in Idlib, the HTS-affiliated security apparatuses expelled several participants who chanted slogans that they deemed inappropriate.

Some of those who were expelled demanded the opening of fighting fronts with the Syrian government forces, while others chanted against HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, and yet others raised Islamic banners not related to the revolution, according to HTS security forces.

Abu Hamza al-Kurdi, a jihadist who defected from HTS, said on his Telegram channel March 17, “The way the event was dealt with is evidence of the image sought to be conveyed about Idlib. When banners read, ‘There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of God,’ and young people demanded the opening of fighting fronts and battles and the renewal of the spirit of jihad and revolution, [they were faced] with warnings, expulsions and arrest threats in the event of noncompliance with the security forces.”