Syria's Rebel Leader: From Al-Qaeda Roots to Western Relations
Abu Mohammed al Jolani, leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) that ousted Bashar al Assad's regime in Syria, told Sky News that Western countries have nothing to fear from the new leadership. Jolani, who has distanced himself from his past ties to al Qaeda, claims his group aims to bring stability and reconstruction to Syria, free from the influence of Iranian militias and Hezbollah. Despite his efforts to present a more moderate image, HTS remains designated as a terrorist organization by several countries.
