Abu Mohammed al-Golani, 42, has emerged as the leader of a rebel-led offensive that toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime over the weekend. Al-Golani is a former al-Qaida affiliate who attempted to rebrand himself and his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group away from its hardline Islamist origins.
Al-Golani was born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Damascus, and fought for al-Qaida in Iraq before joining the Nusra Front, a direct affiliate of al-Qaida. His forces eventually fought with the Islamic State after al-Baghdadi ordered them to do so. Al-Golani announced his group’s name change to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham in 2016 and severed ties with al-Qaida.
In recent years, al-Golani has attempted to rebrand himself as a moderate, dissolving the hardline religious police and allowing mass to be performed freely. He has also indicated that his group may not be directly involved in governance. Al-Golani’s statements have been met with criticism, however, as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has shown limited tolerance for political dissent and arrested and tortured journalists and political rivals.
The U.S. State Department still offers a $10 million reward for information leading to al-Golani’s capture. Despite his rebranding efforts, the group remains on the State Department’s list of designated terror groups. As the rebel leader takes on greater responsibility, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.
The collapse of Assad’s regime marks a new chapter in Syrian history, with al-Golani and his group promising to allow Syria’s Prime Minister to remain in power and conduct free elections. However, the future of the country remains uncertain as the rebels navigate their newfound responsibility.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/12/09/who-is-abu-mohammed-al-golani-what-to-know-about-the-syrian-rebel-leader-who-overthrew-assad