A fortnight ago, they were rebel gunmen locked in fierce battles against the Syrian state. Now, with President Bashar al-Assad gone, the fighters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have emerged as Syria's de-facto rulers. Their new role has thrust them into the spotlight as enforcers of law and order, marking a dramatic transformation from insurgents to the arbiters of governance.

HTS, once an affiliate of al-Qaeda, remains designated as a terrorist organization by most Western nations. However, the group has pledged to uphold the rights of all Syrians in this new chapter of Syria’s troubled history. The promise signals an attempt to gain legitimacy and distance itself from its militant past, though skepticism lingers, given its historical ties and extremist ideology.

BBC News accompanied HTS members on patrol in Latakia, a province known as an Alawite stronghold and a key support base for the former regime. The shift in control here is particularly striking, as the region has long been loyal to Assad's leadership. This dramatic power shift has left residents navigating a precarious new reality under their erstwhile adversaries.

Reporting from the ground, BBC journalist Quentin Sommerville, alongside camera-journalist Darren Conway, captured scenes of these former rebels now donning the mantle of law enforcement. Their presence on the streets of Latakia underscores the seismic political and social shifts rippling through Syria in the wake of Assad’s ousting.

The patrols, while emblematic of a new order, also highlight the deep divisions that remain within the country. As HTS promises a fairer governance model, many Syrians, particularly in regions like Latakia, view their rise with unease and suspicion. Whether the group can successfully transition from a shadowy insurgency to a legitimate governing force remains an open and contentious question.

Disclaimer:This video is taken from BBC News.