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On January 20, 2025, the General Command, linked to Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), released an English-language "Statement by the New Administration of Syria Congratulating President Donald J. Trump on his Inauguration." Issued by Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa aka Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani in the name of Syria's "leadership and people," the statement congratulates Trump on becoming the 47th president of the U.S., declaring that "his selection is a testament to the trust placed in his leadership by the American people."[1]
Noting that "the past decade has brought immense suffering to Syria, with the conflict devastating our nation and destabilizing the region," it adds: "We are confident that he is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region." The statement expresses hope of improving U.S.-Syria relations "based on dialogue and understanding" and that the two countries can "form a partnership that reflects the aspirations of both nations," wishing for Trump's success as president and for "the enduring strength and prosperity of the American people."
Telegram channels supporting Iran-backed militias and affiliated with the "Syrian Resistance" against the new HTS-linked Syrian administration lashed out at Al-Joulani and HTS for the statement, denouncing them as collaborators with America. A pro-Islamic State (ISIS) channel similarly condemned HTS, asserting that it is HTS which collaborates with the U.S., not ISIS.
"Syrian Resistance" Telegram Channels: Al-Joulani Is A Collaborator With America And Israel
On January 20, the "Al-Mihwar Al-Suri" [Syrian Axis] Telegram channel, linked to the "Syrian Resistance," lambasted Al-Joulani for congratulating Trump on his inauguration. In Syrian Arabic, the post stated: "These are the ones who used to call us 'arms of Iran' and the 'axis of evil' and accused us of collaboration with America. Praise to Allah, we have exposed you long ago. But no problem, let your donkey followers see with their own eyes who is the collaborator."[2]
On January 21, the "Syrian Popular Resistance" Telegram channel claimed that the "terrorist" Al-Joulani has "revealed his true nature to his followers and thugs as he hurtles towards Washington," noting that it was Trump who "gave Jerusalem to the Zionists on a golden platter and announced it as the capital of the occupation entity." The channel castigated the "so-called mujahid" for congratulating Trump, whose country "killed Gaza for 15 months with bombing and siege," while uttering not a word to condemn Israel's "crimes" or congratulate Gaza and its "resistance" on the "victory of the Al-Aqsa Flood." The channel dismissed Al-Joulani as a "cheap Wahhabi proxy who sells the religion and homeland to his overlords in America" and belongs to "the axis of Zionist collaboration." Noting that Hamas spokesman Abu 'Ubaydah recently commented that "some neighboring countries are being violated by the Zionist entity," without mentioning Syria by name, the channel claimed that the "resistance in Palestine" knows Al-Joulani is a "poisoned dagger in the side of the ummah [Islamic nation]" and that his path leads not to Jerusalem but to the "dustbin of history."[3]
Channel Supporting Iran-Backed Iraqi Militias: Al-Joulani Congratulated "Uncle Trump"
Commenting on Al-Joulani's statement, "The Shadow Man" Telegram channel, which supports Iran-backed Iraqi militias, wrote simply: "Al-Joulani sends a congratulatory telegram to his uncle Trump."[4]
Pro-ISIS Channel: Al-Joulani Commits Unbelief By Allying With America
On January 21, pro-ISIS Telegram channel "Al-'Uqab" [The Eagle] denounced the statement as part of Al-Joulani's "series of concessions and diving into the swamp of unbelief and depravity." The channel condemned the "enemy of shari'a" – a play on Al-Joulani's name Al-Sharaa – for the statement, characterizing it as "a mixture of alliance [with unbelievers], collaboration, and polytheism" for its description of "polytheist" [Trump] as "the one who manages affairs and is capable of bringing peace and stability to the region."[5]
In another post, the channel called out those who accuse ISIS of collaboration with the U.S., asking: "Who is the collaborator? And who is the unbeliever who has shed off his religion?" The channel insisted that the mujahideen in the desert fighting the "nations of unbelief" for the past seven years are not collaborators, unlike Al-Joulani, "who has offered them all concessions and strives to carry out their projects and to please them in various ways."
The new HTS-linked Syrian administration has received a U.S. delegation in Damascus, and transferred U.S. citizen Travis Timmerman to U.S. military custody following his release from an Assad regime prison.[6]
Iran-backed militias have condemned the new Syrian administration and endorsed calls for resistance against it.[7]
[1] Telegram, January 20, 2025.
[2] Telegram, January 20, 2025.
[3] Telegram, January 21, 2025.
[4] Telegram, January 21, 2025.
[5] Telegram, January 21, 2025.
[6] See MEMRI JTTM Reports: Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)-Linked Government Documents Transfer Of U.S. Citizen Travis Timmerman To U.S. Military Custody In Southeastern Syria, December 15, 2024; and Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham Interim Government Releases Infographic Showing Diplomatic Engagement With Western, Arab Countries – Including Visits By Three Delegations To Damascus Not Previously Disclosed, January 9, 2025.
[7] See MEMRI JTTM Reports: Following The Fall Of The Regime In Syria: Senior Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Officials Blame Iran For Collapse Of Axis Of Resistance; Fear Resurgence Of The Islamic State (ISIS) In Syria And Its Implications For Iraq, December 9, 2024; and Leader Of Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Shares Call For Assad Regime Loyalists To Join 'Syrian Resistance,' Fight 'Terrorists' Who Control Syria, December 30, 2024.
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