Damascus (TDI Special): Abu Mohammad al-Jolani is the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which recently topped President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
In a victory speech at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Sunday, al-Jolani stated, “We are the rightful owners of this country; we have been fighting, and today we have been rewarded with this victory.”
He called for prayers to mark what he described as a victory for all Syrians.
Early Life
Born Ahmed al-Sharaa in 1982 to a well-off family in Damascus, al-Jolani grew up in the Mazzeh district.
He later adopted the name “al-Jolani” as a reference to his family’s origins in the Golan Heights, which was annexed by Israel in 1967.
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Following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, al-Jolani joined Al-Qaida in Iraq, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and was detained for five years.
In 2011, after the Syrian uprising began, al-Jolani returned to Syria and founded the Al-Nusra Front, a Syrian branch of Al-Qaida. In 2013, he refused to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi – the leader of the Islamic State (IS). Instead, he joined Al-Qaida’s Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Leadership
Al-Jolani left Al-Qaida in 2016 and founded HTS, which became a dominant force in Syria’s northwest, particularly in Idlib province.
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The group has since sought to establish a governance structure, including civilian administrative institutions. However, its rule has been criticized for alleged human rights abuses and suppression of dissent.
Controversies
Over the years, al-Jolani has rebranded himself and HTS. In a 2021 interview, he described himself as a pragmatist, aiming to transition HTS into a more politically viable entity.
Al-Jolani’s leadership has raised many questions. Critics doubt his claims of moderation and reforms. Some say his decisions are more about strategy than ideology.
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HTS has tried to reassure minority groups, like Christians in Aleppo, that they will be safe. However, reports of abuses in areas under HTS control continue. The United Nations has labelled some of these actions as war crimes.
Future Outlook
HTS is growing stronger under al-Jolani’s leadership. He recently spoke to international media, portraying HTS as a political organization. Some believe this is an effort to gain legitimacy after Assad’s fall.
For now, al-Jolani remains a key player in Syria’s future. His past ties and actions, however, continue to draw criticism.
