Belgium sees no immediate case for Western alarm concerning Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
Belgium's outgoing Justice minister says there is no immediate need for concern in the West regarding Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a prominent Syrian Islamist group.
Speaking on Radio 1's De Ochtend on Thursday, Paul Van Tigchelt said: “HTS has no international agenda for the time being, but it does have a regional agenda. Moreover, leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has broken with al-Qaeda, is pursuing a more moderate course and is not calling for attacks against the West.”
His comments come in response to figures from CUTA, Belgium's coordination unit for threat analysis, which reported that eight Belgians are involved with HTS. These individuals left for Syria years ago, though it remains unclear whether they are connected to HTS’s recent actions.
Ministers confirm figures
Van Tigchelt’s statements were echoed by Foreign minister Bernard Quintin, who confirmed that between five and 10 Belgians are affiliated with HTS.
“Our services met about this yesterday. The case must be followed closely, but we do not know what will happen in the coming weeks,” Van Tigchelt said. Quintin: “We are following this closely and are in close contact with the services of other countries. We should not be alarmist or complacent but follow this seriously step by step.”
"We saw what happened after the ‘collapse’ of Syria in 2011”
CUTA has identified 89 Belgians in Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Syria, with 26 of them in prison camps. Quintin reiterated the importance of monitoring such developments. “The services are extremely vigilant. We saw what happened after the 'collapse’ of Syria in 2011.”
While HTS remains classified as a terrorist organisation by the European Union, Van Tigchelt suggested that its role could evolve. “It cannot be ruled out that [HTS] will one day become a discussion partner of the West, in the context of the normalisation of relations with the country. It is time for the situation there to normalise somewhat. Anything that can contribute to that, we should perhaps support.”
Belgium’s broader approach to Syria focuses on supporting reconstruction, provided certain conditions are met. According to Quintin, these conditions include safeguarding Syria’s territorial integrity, respecting international humanitarian law and human rights and protecting national minorities. The United Nations supports “a soft transition” for the region.
“I don’t have a crystal ball to know whether these people will radicalise and return to our country, but the situation demands careful attention," Quintin said.
Fighters affiliated with Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group © PHOTO OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP
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