Taliban Celebrates Islamist Victory in Syria as a Milestone

The Taliban commends the recent Islamist triumph in Syria, viewing it as a significant step in their shared ideological struggle. Explore the implications for regional stability.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has extended its congratulations to the coalition of armed opposition groups that successfully seized control of Damascus, overthrowing President Bashar Assad.

A loosely organized coalition of fighters under the leadership of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) initiated a surprise attack late last month, swiftly taking control over most areas previously held by government forces. This offensive reached its peak with the capture of Syria’s capital on Sunday. Despite being designated as a terrorist organization by both the UN and US, HTS has pledged to safeguard Syria’s religious minorities, including Christians.

On Sunday, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement extending congratulations to “the leadership of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) movement and the Syrian people for recent progress that has led to eliminating conflict and instability factors, culminating in the fall of Damascus.”

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“The statement conveyed our hope that the forthcoming phases of the revolution will be handled in a manner that ensures a peaceful, unified, and stable system.”

The Foreign Ministry also voiced its aspiration for the establishment of “a sovereign and service-oriented Islamic government” that could unite the war-torn nation “without discrimination or retribution,” ensuring protection for Syria’s Shia community.

The outbreak of civil war in Syria occurred in 2011 as the Arab Spring, a series of protests and uprisings, spread across the Middle East and North Africa.

While the West, Türkiye, Israel, and several Gulf states supported anti-Assad forces, Russia and Iran backed the Damascus government. A tense ceasefire negotiated by Moscow and Ankara in 2020 had effectively halted large-scale conflict for almost four years.

In August 2021, the Taliban seized control of Kabul amid the concluding phase of the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. The group had previously governed Afghanistan during the 1990s until being toppled in 2001 by a US-led invasion. Despite a two-decade-long insurgency, no countries officially recognize Afghanistan’s new government established by the Taliban.