Syrian Insurgent Group Seeks to Shed Al-Qaida Ties and Clear Terrorism Lists

The leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), an insurgent group ruling much of northwest Syria, is attempting to distance the group from its al-Qaida origins and rebrand as a pluralistic and tolerant organization. The pivot comes as HTS faces increasing isolation, with former backers of Syrian insurgents restoring relations with President Bashar Assad. The United States considers HTS a terrorist group and has offered a $10 million reward for information on the leader's whereabouts. Despite the rebranding, it is unlikely that the U.S. will remove HTS and its leader from its terrorism list.