BEIRUT, 05/12/2024 – Once a reclusive figure tied to al Qaeda, Abu Mohammed al-Golani has transformed into Syria’s most prominent insurgent leader, steering Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and positioning himself as the de facto ruler of northwestern Syria.
Golani, who severed ties with al Qaeda in 2016 and rebranded his group, has been thrust into the spotlight following the recent rebel-led capture of Aleppo. His emergence signals a shift in HTS’s strategy, blending Islamist ideology with a public relations campaign to appeal to broader Syrian opposition and reassure minorities.
In videos released after Aleppo’s fall, Golani was seen in military fatigues issuing orders to protect civilians and forbidding looting. He also visited Aleppo’s historic citadel, accompanied by fighters carrying the Syrian revolution flag—an emblem previously shunned by his group.
Golani, born Ahmed al-Sharaa, has issued statements in his real name, calling on Syrian minorities to break from President Bashar al-Assad’s government and join a “non-sectarian” Syria. Messages to Christian and Alawite communities emphasized protection of their property and safety, urging them to reject Assad’s “psychological warfare.”
Experts note that Golani’s transformation reflects a pragmatic shift. “He has retooled and refashioned his group, projecting a softer image,” said Joshua Landis, a Syria expert. However, Golani’s HTS remains designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and others.
HTS emerged as a dominant force during Syria’s civil war, initially as the Nusra Front, an al Qaeda affiliate. Golani, who fought for al Qaeda in Iraq and was once imprisoned by U.S. forces, has claimed his group now opposes external attacks and focuses solely on Syria. Despite its hardline roots, HTS is seen as more tolerant compared to the Islamic State group, with which it had a violent split.
Under Golani, HTS has consolidated control over Idlib province, establishing a civil administration known as the Salvation Government. As HTS positions itself as the vanguard of the 2011 uprising, Golani’s leadership continues to shape the trajectory of Syria’s fragmented rebellion.