Al-Jolani: A Complex Figure in fluid Syrian Situation

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, born Ahmad Hussein al-Shara, is the founder and leader of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as the al-Nusra Front. He emerged as a significant figure in the Syrian conflict during the early years of the Syrian civil war. Before heading the al-Nusra Front, Jolani was associated with al-Qaeda, where he gained substantial experience in militancy. Qaeda itself was a global terrorist organization in pursuit of establishing a governance by attaching Muslim-majority regions under its ideology.

The al-Nusra Front, established in 2012 under Jolani's leadership, was initially an official branch of al-Qaeda in Syria. Its mission was to establish a caliphate in line with the broader goals of al-Qaeda. Over time, however, Jolani sought to distance his group from al-Qaeda to gain regional legitimacy and consolidate power in Syria. This led to a formal split in 2016, with the group rebranding itself as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and later evolving into HTS.

Jolani’s primary goal appears to be securing a dominant position for HTS in the ongoing Syrian conflict. His efforts have centered on controlling the northwestern province of Idlib, a critical stronghold for opposition groups. Jolani has strategically navigated between alliances and rivalries, portraying himself as a pragmatic leader who can engage with both local and international stakeholders. However, his ambitions remain deeply tied to establishing a broader Islamic governance model in Syria.

As soon as his group took over Syria, he issued a number of orders regarding safety for people from all religions and schools of thought. His directives regarding the Shia holy shrines of Sayyida Zaynab and Sayyida Ruqayya in Syria have drawn international attention.

Scenes of HTS members setting free the prisoners from Saydnaya Prison, a military prison to the north of the capital Damascus, and their reunion with their families might wrench hearts or the amnesty he granted to the military personnel could draw positive response from the people.

But the question remains on what kind of government Jolani would support to tackle the turbulent economic situation at home, ongoing conflicts by other factions and Israeli forces already on doorway.