![](https://www.longwarjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/17-03-17-Abu-Jaber-Hashim-El-Sheikh-on-the-sixth-anniversary-of-the-Syrian-revolution.jpg)
Leader of al Qaeda’s joint venture in Syria promises to ‘escalate’ operations
Abu Jaber (also known as Hashem al Sheikh), the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS), has released a message commemorating the sixth anniversary of the Syrian revolution. He portrays HTS as a popular revolutionary force and calls on other rebel groups to join it for the sake of “unity.” He also promises to “escalate” operations against Bashar al Assad’s regime.