Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, the new leader of Syria, has declared that Syria “will not be used as a base for attacks against Israel.” His statement signals a shift in the region’s geopolitical dynamics as he consolidates power in the war-torn country.
Al-Jolani assumed leadership in early December 2024 following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, who had ruled Syria for over two decades. After years of conflict and international isolation, Assad’s regime crumbled under the combined pressure of rebel forces and waning internal support.
Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, who had long been a prominent figure in the opposition, emerged as a unifying leader among fractured factions. His leadership was solidified after intense negotiations between various rebel groups, where he was recognized as the head of the transitional authority.
Al-Jolani’s rise marks a dramatic transformation from his early days as the commander of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that played a pivotal role in resisting Assad’s forces. His journey from a rebel fighter to the country’s de facto leader reflects his strategic maneuvering and ability to maintain influence over Syria’s opposition landscape.
Al-Jolani, born Ahmad Hussein al-Sharaa in Deir ez-Zor province, has been involved in the Syrian conflict since its inception in 2011. Before that, he was active in the insurgency during the U.S. occupation of Iraq in 2003, where he joined al-Qaeda in Iraq. Returning to Syria during the Arab Spring, he established the al-Nusra Front, which became one of the most formidable factions in the Syrian civil war.
Over the years, al-Jolani distanced himself from global jihadist networks, rebranding his group as HTS and presenting it as a Syrian nationalist force. His ability to adapt and consolidate power allowed him to lead the opposition and eventually rise as Syria’s leader.
In his first public address as Syria’s leader, al-Jolani emphasized his commitment to stability and non-interference in regional conflicts. “We will not allow Syria to be used as a base for attacks against Israel,” he declared, signaling a pragmatic approach to governance and foreign relations.
The statement comes as al-Jolani faces the immense challenge of rebuilding a country devastated by over a decade of war. With millions displaced and infrastructure in ruins, his leadership will be tested on whether he can unify Syria’s fractured society and restore peace.
Al-Jolani’s rise to power signifies the conclusion of Bashar al-Assad’s authoritarian regime, which commenced in 2000 after the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad. Assad’s government faced mounting opposition following the 2011 Syrian uprising, which escalated into a devastating civil war. This development was reported via the @BRICSinfo X handle.
