Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamic rebel group formerly linked to al-Qaeda, has made significant territorial gains in Aleppo and is advancing toward Hama. The group, emerging from Jabhat al-Nusra, is viewed as a major player in the ongoing Syrian conflict, which has seen various factions vying for power since the civil war’s onset in 2011. Despite efforts to distance itself from its extremist roots, HTS employs violent tactics akin to those of the Islamic State. The dynamics of the conflict are shifting, influenced by geopolitical factors, including the involvement of foreign powers such as Turkey and Iran.