Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) originated from al-Qaeda in Syria and other militant groups. Recognized as a terrorist organization by both the United Nations and the United States, HTS conducted violent resistance during the early stages of the Syrian Civil War. Led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the group’s objectives include overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and expelling Iranian militias that support Assad. The organization’s name translates to ‘Organization for the Liberation of the Levant,’ referring to regions including Syria and Lebanon.