The leader of the Islamist-dominated armed coalition that seized power in Syria on Friday called on residents to take to the streets en masse to celebrate the "victory of the revolution."
In a video, Abou Mohammad al-Jolani, now using his real name, Ahmad al-Chareh, "congratulated the Syrian people on the revolution’s victory" and urged the population to "take to the streets to express their joy."
Speaking on Telegram, the leader of the Islamist group appeared wearing a gray vest and a white shirt.
He is later expected to attend the Friday prayer at the famous Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.
Faced with the political, social, and security challenges of a multiethnic, multiconfessional, and fragmented country, the new authorities are attempting to reassure the population, while the international community mobilizes.
Around the iconic Umayyad Mosque in the capital, dozens of young people were preparing to welcome worshippers for the prayer, which Mr. Jolani was set to attend.
Vendors were selling the three-star flag, a symbol of the revolution now adopted by the new authorities, while loudspeakers played songs glorifying the new Syria.
HTS claims to have broken away from jihadism but remains classified as a "terrorist" organization by several Western countries, including the United States.
By Maher Al Mounes with Laure Al Khoury, AFP
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