What is Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)?

“The former al Qaeda affiliate now governs approximately two million people, half of whom are internally displaced Syrians. Over the past three years, HTS consolidated power within its territory and sought to convince the international community that it no longer merits its pariah status as a terrorist organization.” CSIS, Examining Extremism: Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)