a portrait
After the victory of the Islamists in Syria, it might very well be the new strong man: Muhammad al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist militia HTS. How radical is it? And what are his plans for Syria?
Abu Mohammed al-Jolani’s main goal was the overthrow of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. Now al-Jolani’s Islamist fighters have entered the capital Damascus and declared the city free – 13 years after the civil war against assad began.
“Radical pragmatist”
al-Jolani is the leader of the Hajat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militia, a former branch of the al-qaeda terrorist network in Syria. For years, Al-Jolani operated in secret. He is in the limelight today, making statements and speaking to the international media.
He gradually removed the jihadist turban he wore at the start of the war in Syria in 2011 – in favor of a military uniform. Since breaking with al-Qaeda in 2016, al-Jolani has tried to soften his image and become more moderate.
However, this does not convince Western experts and governments. They classify the HTS as a terrorist group. scientist Thomas Pierret of the French national research institute CNRS calls it a “pragmatic radical”. in 2014, al-Jolani was at the height of his radicalism, the expert says, pointing out that he wanted to assert himself against the jihadist militia “islamic State” (IS). As then, he has “softened his rhetoric.”
Father was an opponent of Assad
Ahmed al-Sharaa,real name al-Jolani,was born in Saudi Arabia. His family originally came from the Golan Heights. But he grew up in Masseh, a wealthy district in Damascus. His father was a secular opponent of the Assad regime and spent many years in Syrian prisons before going into exile.
As a jihadist, his son took the nom de guerre abu Muhammad al-Jolani. There
His radicalization happened long before the civil war in Syria. After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, he left his home country to fight in the neighboring country. In Iraq he joined Al-Qaeda and was afterward imprisoned for five years.
In march 2011, as the uprising against the assad government began in Syria, he returned to his homeland and founded the Al-Nusra Front – the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, wich became followed by the HTS. In 2013, he refused to swear allegiance to Abu Bakr-Baghdadi, the future emir of ISIS.
In May 2015, al-Jolani said that, unlike IS, he had no intention of carrying out attacks against the West. He also said that if Assad were defeated there would be no reprisal attacks against the Alawite minority, from which the Assad family comes.
Bridge to Al Qaeda
Al-Jolani also publicly broke with al-Qaeda years ago. he did this, as he explained, so that the West would not be given reasons to attack his institution.According to Pierret, he has since tried to put himself on the path to become “the statesman he wants to be.”
Egyptian military expert Mohamed Abdel Wahed also notes this image change: ”the rebels have given up thier previous jihadist tactics. Al-Jaholani has removed the Islamic mantle and presents himself to the world through his interviews. He speaks more quietly and tries to use a statesman’s vocabulary.”
during de facto rule in northern Idlib province, HTS established a civilian government in the areas it controlled and established a state of sorts in Idlib province, suppressing its rivals. During this time, residents and human rights groups accused HTS of brutal crackdowns against dissidents – the United Nations classifies these as war crimes.
Man of the moment
A Jew as a statesman? Al-Jolani is currently the man of the hour in Syria. Many of Assad’s secular opponents are currently celebrating the rebel advance as liberation.
But the doubt remains. Al-Jolani had close ties to the Islamic State terrorist organization and was part of the Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda. The United States put a $10 million bounty on his head. It remains to be seen whether he will succeed in asserting himself in Syria and what he plans to do next – for example with the Kurdish-led SDF rebels in the north-east of the country.
with information from Moritz Behrendt, ARD Studio Cairo
How is Muhammad al-Jolani perceived by local populations in Syria compared to international stakeholders?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and expert Thomas pierret on Muhammad al-Jolani’s Ascendancy in Syria
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good morning,Thomas. Thank you for joining us today. It’s certainly a notable moment in Syrian history with al-Jolani’s forces entering Damascus. Can we start with a quick overview: who is muhammad al-Jolani,and what has brought him to the forefront in Syria?
Thomas Pierret (TP): Good morning,and thank you for having me. Muhammad al-Jolani, also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, is the leader of Hayat tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which originally emerged as an offshoot of al-Qaeda in Syria. Over the years, his primary objective has been to topple Bashar al-Assad’s regime. With the recent victory of his forces in pivotal areas, including Damascus, al-Jolani is now being seen as one of the key players in the future of Syrian politics.
TNE: It’s fascinating how his strategy seems to have evolved. Earlier in the conflict, al-Jolani was known for his radicalism, but now he seems to project a more moderate image. What can be attributed to this shift?
TP: Indeed, al-Jolani has been described as a “pragmatic radical.” His journey has included a significant branding effort to distance himself from the jihadist origins of HTS. As breaking ties with al-Qaeda in 2016, he has adopted a military uniform rather of the customary jihadist attire, signaling a change. He is trying to appeal to a broader base, including local populations and potentially Western audiences. However, there remains skepticism regarding his sincerity and the potential for genuine moderation.
TNE: Speaking of skepticism,many experts and Western governments still classify HTS as a terrorist association. What are some key points of contention around this characterization?
TP: One major point of contention is whether al-Jolani’s current approach can be considered a genuine change or merely a tactical maneuver to gain legitimacy and support. Even though he has softened his rhetoric, there are concerns that he retains the core ideology of HTS. His ability to challenge the Islamic State and the legacy of his past actions contribute to this polarized view. The term “pragmatic radical” reflects this contradiction—he operates within the framework of radicalism while exhibiting strategic versatility.
TNE: You mentioned his family background. How does his personal history inform his leadership and current strategies?
TP: Al-Jolani’s family had a history of opposition to the Assad regime. His father was a secular opponent who spent time in prison before going into exile. Growing up in Damascus, al-Jolani was likely influenced by his father’s experiences and the socio-political landscape of syria.This background may contribute to his deep-rooted desire to effect change. It also plays into how he navigates alliances and manages his image in a complex surroundings post-Assad.
TNE: With Damascus now declared “free” by al-Jolani, what are his potential plans for governance, and how might these affect the broader region?
TP: Al-Jolani’s plans are likely multifaceted. On one hand, he will aim to consolidate power within areas controlled by HTS while trying to negotiate with other Syrian factions, including potential rivals. On the other hand, he may also look toward international legitimacy and engagement, especially if he wants to occupy a more significant role in post-war Syria. this could lead to shifts in alliances within the region, especially concerning rival factions like ISIS and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
TNE: This is an evolving narrative, and it certainly raises questions about the future of Syria. before we conclude, what should we be watching for in the coming months regarding al-Jolani and HTS?
TP: It will be essential to monitor al-jolani’s actions and rhetoric closely. Any signs of further consolidation of power, attempts at governance, or shifts in alliances will be crucial indicators of his strategic intentions. Additionally, observing how both the local population and international communities respond will provide insight into the broader implications of his leadership in Syria’s tumultuous landscape.
TNE: Thank you, Thomas. Your insights are invaluable as we try to make sense of the shifting dynamics in Syria. We appreciate your expertise.
TP: Thank you for having me. It’s a complex situation, and I look forward to seeing how it unfolds.