Abu Mohammed al-Jolani is the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a powerful Islamist rebel group that has been making significant gains in northwestern Syria. Al-Jolani, a former member of al-Qaeda in Iraq, has been a key figure in the Syrian conflict since 2011, when he co-founded the Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria.
After a split with al-Qaeda in 2017, al-Jolani rebranded the group as HTS, which has since become one of the most powerful rebel groups in Syria. HTS has been able to capitalize on the chaos and instability created by the Syrian civil war, and has established a strong presence in Idlib province and other parts of northwestern Syria.
Al-Jolani is known for his charismatic leadership and his ability to inspire loyalty among his followers. He has also been able to navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries between different rebel groups and foreign powers in Syria, allowing HTS to maintain a degree of independence and autonomy.
Despite his reputation as a hardline Islamist, al-Jolani has also been able to present himself as a pragmatic leader who is willing to work with other groups and negotiate with the Syrian government. This has allowed HTS to maintain a degree of legitimacy and popular support among the Syrian people, despite its extremist ideology.
As HTS continues to advance and consolidate its gains in northwestern Syria, al-Jolani’s leadership and vision will be crucial in determining the group’s future trajectory and its potential impact on the Syrian conflict.
