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.
