Abu Mohammad al-Jolani: Syrian terrorist to rebel leader?

Who is the man who led the rebellion in Syria that led to the fall of Bashar al Assad's rule?

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has long been a controversial figure.

Once affiliated to al-Qaeda, Jolani’s group has been designated a terrorist organisation by many, including the US government.

Yet, he came at the forefront of the new political reality in Syria after his forces played a pivotal role in toppling the government of President Bashar al Assad, ending a decades-long dynatic rule  in the country.

Jolani’s journey began in the early 2000s, when, as a young fighter, he joined the insurgency against the US invasion of Iraq.

He was eventually captured and imprisoned at Camp Bucca, where many future leaders of terrorist organisations, including those who would go on to form Daesh, were also detained.

Upon his release, Jolani returned to Syria and initially founded Jabhat al-Nusra, a militant group that pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda.

However, in 2016, Jolani broke ties with al-Qaeda and rebranded his group as HTS, focusing more on governance rather than global jihad.

Today, HTS controls Idlib, Syria’s last major opposition-held province.

Under Jolani’s leadership, the group has worked to provide basic services and maintain a degree of order, which has earned it support among some local populations.

In a rare interview, Jolani sought to distance himself from Daesh and al-Qaeda, presenting himself as a leader focused on Syrian unity rather than extremism.

He emphasised that his rule would protect Syria’s religious minorities, such as Alawites and Christians, by stressing the long history of coexistence in the region.

Despite his reassurances, questions have remained about Jolani’s true motivations. While he may claim to have evolved into a more pragmatic leader, his past associations and the volatile situation in Syria make his future leadership uncertain.

Meanwhile Mohamed al-Bashir has been appointed as the caretaker prime minister of Syria’s transitional government, a position he will hold until March 1, 2025, he announced in a televised statement on Tuesday.

Prior to this appointment, al-Bashir led the rebel-backed Salvation Government, before a rapid 12-day offensive brought rebel forces into Damascus.