Idlib, in northwest Syria, has long been a stronghold for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the rebel group that last week toppled the Assad regime. Many people living in Idlib had fled to the town governed by the Islamist group to escape the regime's brutal repression.
Now residents hope their way of living will spread throughout the newly liberated country. “Thanks to God, we won our freedom, and now that's spread to the rest of Syria,” said one market seller.
Residents in Idlib say they have access to free WiFi and no blackouts.
The town is largely conservative: most women wear the veil and university students say they want Islam to play a bigger role in Syria’s future. “Our teaching needs to be rolled out in all the regions that were recently liberated, like Homs, Aleppo or Hama,” said one student.
But officials from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham said Idlib is unique, and other provinces in Syria will not be forced to adopt the same model.
“Every province has its own way of governing. Some think Idlib's form of government will be replicated across the country. But that's unimaginable and illogical,” said Mohammed al-Asmar from the ministry of media in Idlib.