“We spent 5 years preparing for this, not only militarily, but also by training in civil and political affairs. We’re not fighting for religion, but to liberate our country”. HTS Head of Unit Mohamed Jabal is keen to stress his organisation's competence and neutrality amid the presence of many of his fighters demanding Islamic law in Syria. The rebels explore Bashar Al-Assad’s luxurious residences, as fighter Abu Mujahed Paraa remarks, “it’s very sad to see this. There are innocent children with nowhere to sleep. Yesterday we already started taking children out of the streets and placing them in shelters.” Yet they reject RTS’ request to see these shelters, generating questions about the new regime’s credibility. Liberated and traumatised prisoners held under Assad’s regime describe incredibly violent, brutal experiences. Former prisoner Youssef Rahma explains, “for the first time, I don't feel like an animal but like a human.” While things look up for citizens reunited with their families amid the fall of the Assad regime, HTS’ governance faces many challenges of its own.