How ISIS May Respond to HTS’s Takeover: Rivalries, Strategy, and Future Challenges in Syria

Abstract: This article explores the growing influence of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria and the potential responses of ISIS, a longstanding rival, to HTS’s expanding control. HTS is seeking legitimacy and has garnered tacit approval from Western governments and regional actors, including the European Union, which is engaged in pragmatic relationships with the group due to the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis. The United States also closely monitors the situation as dynamics shift in the region.