Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a rebel group, delivered a speech at the ancient Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, a place of great religious significance. In his message, Jolani sought to fine-tune his narrative, appealing to various groups and sending clear signals to different parties.
To the newly liberated Syrians, Jolani emphasized the importance of tolerance, saying that the victory had come through the suffering of those who endured imprisonment. He also stressed the need to break old bounds and move forward, marking a new chapter in the region’s history.
To Iran, Jolani’s message was clear: Iranian meddling in Syria is over, and their support for Hezbollah and weapons stockpiles is no longer welcome. He also sent a message to the US and Israel, stating that his group understands their interests and is willing to work with them.
Finally, Jolani’s message was tuned for regional powers, promising to clean up the country’s reputation as a narco state and source of criminality. He vowed to “purify” Syria, referring to the country’s widespread drug trade and criminal activity.
Overall, Jolani’s speech was a calculated move to rebrand himself and his group, emphasizing tolerance, regional cooperation, and a commitment to fighting terrorism and corruption.