Ahmed Al Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, is a prominent figure in the Syrian conflict, commanding thousands of men in an armed rebellion against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Born in Riyadh to Syrian parents, Jolani was inspired by the Second Palestinian Intifada and later became a jihadist in Iraq after the US invasion in 2003.
Jolani's rise to power began when he established Al Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, Jabhat Al Nusra, with support from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Over the years, he strategically split from Al Qaeda to form Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and later Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, distancing himself from his radical past to present a more moderate image.
Despite efforts to rebrand his group and portray himself as a revolutionary leader, Jolani's association with extremist organizations led to the United States designating his group as a terror organization. However, Jolani's focus on eliminating ISIS and positioning himself as a key player in the Syrian conflict reflects his ambition to gain favor in the region and with Western powers.
In recent years, Jolani has governed Idlib province, implementing a semi-technocratic government and conducting operations against ISIS leaders. While he has faced criticism for alleged human rights abuses and crackdowns on dissidents, Jolani maintains that his group holds individuals accountable for such actions.
As the Syrian conflict evolves and regional dynamics shift, Jolani's role in potentially toppling the Assad regime could have broader implications for the Middle East. By positioning himself as a key player in reshaping the regional power balance, Jolani aims to solidify his influence and gain recognition on the international stage.
