Abu Muhammad al-Jolani’s ascent to Syria’s leadership is a tale of audacity, reinvention, and geopolitical upheaval. Born Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 1982, he grew up in Damascus, steeped in Syria’s turbulent politics. After studying medicine briefly, he was drawn to jihadist ideology, joining al-Qaeda in Iraq in the early 2000s. His ruthlessness earned him prominence, and by 2011, he founded Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch, leading attacks against the Assad regime.
His early leadership of Jabhat al-Nusra was marked by brutal tactics, including suicide bombings and executions of captured soldiers, cementing his reputation as a ruthless jihadist. His group’s violent campaign against both Assad’s forces and rival factions left a trail of civilian casualties, drawing global condemnation, and making him a U.S.-designated terrorist, with a $10 million bounty on his head by 2013.
“Just a few short months ago the United States was offering a $10 million reward (dead or alive) for Abu Muhammad al-Jolani – the leader of an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group. Today he is the leader of Syria and being invited to meet with world leaders as an equal. He just… pic.twitter.com/NkcrseHKiI
— 🦅 Eagle Wings 🦅 (@CRRJA5) May 9, 2025
Jolani’s path to power began with strategic rebranding. In 2016, he publicly severed ties with al-Qaeda, re-forming his group as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), projecting a more pragmatic image. He consolidated control in Idlib, blending military dominance with governance, providing services to civilians while enforcing strict Islamist rule. As Syria’s civil war dragged on, Assad’s regime weakened under economic collapse and Russian withdrawal. In 2024, HTS launched a lightning offensive, capturing Damascus. Jolani, now styling himself as a statesman, declared a “new Syria” under his leadership, promising stability and moderation.
His rise stunned the world. Turkey, long a quiet backer of HTS, mediated his transition, urging Western nations to engage. France, eager to counter Russian influence in the region, extended the first major invitation. Jolani’s Paris visit, where he met Macron at the Élysée Palace, marked his transformation from pariah to partner. Discussions focused on Syria’s reconstruction and counterterrorism, with Jolani pledging to curb jihadist factions. The UK and Germany soon followed, hosting him in London and Berlin, while Saudi Arabia offered economic aid.
Yet, doubts linger—can a former terrorist truly lead a stable Syria, or is this a gamble destined to unravel