Why is the US targeting Ansar al-Islam in Syria?

On Nov. 27, 2024, the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary Armed Forces and Opposition, in cooperation with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its al-Fateh al-Mubin joint operations room “Management of Military Operations,” launched the largest military operation in recent years against regime-controlled areas in northern and northwestern Syria, “Deterring Aggression.”

The attack in a surprise offensive led to the seizure of most of Aleppo, the country's second largest city, all of its governorate, Idlib governorate, and now targets Hama.

Alongside the HTS and the rebel and opposition factions, however, many jihadist groups are active militarily, often leading the advances and conquests. These jihadist groups, however, are aligned with or integrated into HTS brigades.