The previously dormant Syrian civil war has reignited, with rebels reaching the capital city of Damascus and causing Bashar al-Assad, the now former dictator, to flee to Moscow.

So who are these rebels? Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) started as an offshoot of Al-Qaeda, though has since claimed that they have split. They are also registered as a terrorist organization by the United States, due to their past of Sahafi-jihadism. However, recently, the organization’s leader, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, has stated that the upcoming government will respect all inhabitants of Syria, including minorities. US officials are skeptical.

“The United States reaffirms its full support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition,” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said.  

This support comes with its requirements, as Blinken noted that it will only exist if the newfound Syrian government respects minorities, allows humanitarian aid, prevents terrorism coming from Syria, and destroys all chemical weapons. 

US officials have made it clear that they would not accept the transition from one dictator to another. While the future of Syria is still mostly up in the air, Jolani has already made several decisions that seem to be a step in the right direction. 

“Syria deserves a governing system that is institutional, not one where a single ruler makes arbitrary decisions,” Jolani said, during an interview with CNN.

Jolani also mentions that there is no right to erase any group and that his past extremism was a result of him being young and foolish. 

Overall, his stated vision for the future of Syria is very hopeful, and he has already begun work on dismantling the past prison system, which was more similar to torture chambers than jail cells. Reasonably, people are still suspicious of Jolani’s intentions, as promises are nothing more than words. To this, Jolani agreed and told countries to judge on actions rather than words.

Donald Trump mentioned that the US should keep out of Syria, now that the rebels have overthrown Assad. Though he feels this way currently, future circumstances may cause him to act otherwise. 

Allies of the previous regime–notably Russia and Iran–may take offense to the Syrian revolution, though it is unlikely as they are both already fighting wars. Should there be an attack and the new Syrian government becomes a democracy, support among citizens of the US may cause a change of plans. 

As it stands, Syria may be able to successfully follow through with a new democratic government.