By Michael Arizanti

In a surprising pivot from its past, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has embarked on a deliberate diplomatic offensive aimed at including Syria’s minority communities—especially Christians, Ismailis, and other non-Alawite groups—within its emerging political order. This strategy comes in the wake of HTS’s military operations that drove Bashar al-Assad from power and amid growing fears that the jihadist group’s rule could further marginalize vulnerable communities.

The Context of Minority Fears.

After seizing large parts of Syria, HTS had pledged to protect minority rights. However, widespread concerns emerged that its jihadist past might translate into systematic exclusion or worse, targeted violence against communities such as the Alawites—a fear recently validated by brutal retaliatory attacks in coastal regions. While the tragedy unfolding against Syria’s Alawite community is alarming, it is important to note that these dynamics are specific to the Alawites, whose close association with the former regime and the entrenched narratives of extremist groups set them apart from other minorities.

Building Bridges in Idlib and Beyond.

Long before its final military offensive, HTS had already been engaging with minority communities in Idlib. Through a series of discreet and persistent diplomatic efforts, HTS established channels with Christian leaders and local representatives—using senior religious figures and dedicated political attachés. In rural Idlib, these measures helped restore community control, protect public worship, and halt targeted attacks. By directly engaging minority communities rather than channeling communications solely through the Syrian Salvation Government, HTS laid the groundwork for trust that would later serve as a model for broader engagement.

Negotiations in Key Regions.

HTS’s approach became particularly evident during a series of negotiations across critical regions such as Nubl, Zahraa, and eastern Hama. In Aleppo’s collapse in late 2024, for example, panic spread among Shia communities until HTS initiated direct discussions. Similarly, in the city of Salamiyah—a stronghold of the Ismaili majority—local leaders and representatives from the Syrian National Ismaili Council negotiated directly with HTS’s political bureau. These talks, which centered on issues such as the fate of regime fighters and security guarantees, resulted in a controlled handover of territories. By insisting on a process where armed factions laid down their weapons under a strict “taswiya” policy, HTS not only diffused potential violence but also legitimized minority participation in the post-Assad era.

Creating a New Administrative Framework.

The ripple effects of these negotiations have extended into local governance. In Salamiyah and Tartous, for instance, the Ismaili Council has evolved into a critical administrative and security partner for HTS. Volunteer security forces and local councils, now collaborating closely with HTS-appointed officials, are ensuring that previously sidelined communities are represented in the emerging political order. Even in coastal areas such as Qadmus—where Ismaili activists have faced violent reprisals from pro-Assad elements—their willingness to negotiate and safeguard local interests underscores a pragmatic shift in Syria’s evolving governance model.

A Deliberate Shift Toward Pluralism?

HTS’s diplomatic offensive, forged over years of engagement with Syria’s diverse communities, is not simply a strategy for survival—it is an effort to create a governing model that is inclusive of the nation’s many voices. Although deeply rooted in a context of ongoing conflict and mistrust, these efforts suggest that HTS is aware that lasting stability in Syria may depend on a form of governance that transcends sectarian lines. By integrating minority leaders into the local political fabric, HTS appears to be setting the stage for a post-Assad Syria that, at least at the local level, could move beyond its history of exclusion and brutality.

While the violent targeting of Alawites casts a long shadow over the country’s future, the measured and sometimes cautious outreach to other minority groups represents a notable shift in HTS’s strategy. By engaging directly with community leaders, setting up local administrative frameworks, and ensuring that diverse voices are included in the political process, HTS is not only managing immediate conflicts but also trying to lay a foundation for a pluralistic post-Assad Syria. Whether this approach can overcome decades of division remains to be seen, but it marks a significant recalibration in the group’s political tactics.