Protests and Power Struggles Expose Al-Jolani’s Governance Failures in Idlib

 

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who goes by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has problems governing Idlib, Syria. Interestingly, through these measures his administration has managed to exhibit signs of order within its internal structures, however he has failed to tame internal conflict and public resistance. Again, in March 2024, largely non-violent protests engulfed Idlib Governorate aiming at removal of al-Sharaa’s rule; the protestors chanted slogans which were not different from those used to protest against the Assad regime with the title of “Isqat al-Julani” meaning “Down with Julani”. The protests were provoked by the multiple reasons such as the brutality allegations with thousands of critics being detained in prison as well as the financial reasons including high taxes.

In order to stem the unrest al-Sharaa had to make several concessions. He let out hundreds of detainees from a security crackdown operation conducted during the previous summer, including his former deputy, Abu Maria al-Qahtani, who along with 300 people was detained in a sweep against his movement. He also pledged free local government elections as well as job creation for displaced persons I leaders warned protesters against what he called treachery.



Iraq’s neighbor Turkey had earlier sent electricity and allowed free building materials to enter the province to help stabilize it, but it was increasingly worried about al-Sharaa’s growing power. In response, it limited movement through its border crossings with Idlib thus limiting HTS’s income. Other sources also revealed that al-Sharaa had twice tried to seize other Turkish-controlled regions in the north of Syria.



The problems encountered by al-Sharaa’s administration in Idlib perfectly explain leadership issues the world over in areas of conflict of interest. Maintaining security, economic performance, and public satisfaction, which are never far from fluctuation, constitutes an equally great challenge to any governing body in such circumstances.