JIHADIST AND ETHNO-NATIONALIST TERRORISM AND VIOLENT EXTREMISM | SITUATION local security forces. Others have travelled on to third countries such as Turkey, gone underground or returned to their countries of origin. However, no large-scale movements to other conflict zones where jihadist groups are operating have been observed. represented on its executive committee. However, in 2017 it became clear that the alliance's internal cohesion is under threat because of ideological differences and personal tensions. ‘Islamic State’ has jihadist competition in Syria ‘Islamic State’ made early preparations for continuing its fight from underground and on a number of fronts, particularly in the second half of 2017, it also pulled out leaders, fighters and their families in good time. Many of the structures and networks established in the region therefore still exist. Consequently, even after the loss of its core territories, ‘Islamic State’ will be able to continue to make its presence felt in both Syria and Iraq and to undermine its opponents' stabilisation and reconstruction efforts by means of intimidating and violent actions. In Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, Organisation for the Liberation of the Levant), in particular, plays an important role in the jihadist scene alongside ‘Islamic State’. HTS is an alliance of various jihadist groups and militias; it was founded in January 2017 through the merger of these groups and Jabhat Fath al-Sham (previously Jabhat al-Nusra), which had close links with core al-Qaeda. HTS wants to position itself as the leading coalition in the armed opposition against the Assad regime, particularly in the north-western Syrian province of Idlib, and to this end is also taking action against other opposition groups. The leaders of the major subgroups of HTS are all SIT UAT ION R E PORT 2 0 1 8 | FIS 33