Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a Sunni Islamist political organization and paramilitary group that emerged as a key player in the Syrian Civil War. Formed on January 28, 2017, through the merger of several rebel factions including Jaysh al-Ahrar, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly the al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra Front), Ansar al-Din Front, Jaysh al-Sunna, Liwa al-Haqq, and the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement, HTS was initiated under the leadership of Abu Jaber Shaykh. Originally rooted in al-Qaeda's ideology, HTS rebranded itself to distance from global jihadist networks, focusing on local governance and military operations in Syria. Under the command of Abu Mohammad al-Julani, it consolidated control over Idlib province, establishing administrative structures, security forces, and specialized units. HTS has been designated as a terrorist organization by multiple international bodies, including the United Nations, United States, and European Union. In late 2024, HTS led a major rebel offensive that culminated in the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime on December 8, 2024, marking a significant shift in the Syrian conflict. The organization's evolution reflects the complex dynamics of Syria's opposition, blending militancy with proto-state functions while facing allegations of human rights abuses alongside efforts to moderate its image for international legitimacy.