Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani: The Rebel Leader Who Reshaped Syria's Conflict
Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, leader of the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has rebranded himself as Ahmed al-Sharaa, shedding his jihadist past to gain political legitimacy. This transformation is part of his strategy to position HTS as a dominant force in Syria, particularly after the group's recent capture of Damascus. Jawlani's journey from jihadist to rebel politician involves distancing from al-Qaeda, rebranding his group, and establishing a civilian government in Idlib. Despite efforts to project a moderate image, HTS faces criticism for authoritarian practices and struggles to balance Islamist identity with political aspirations.