Sun Dec 08 01:08:54 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Rebel Leader Al-Julani’s Rise After Aleppo Victory

**Aleppo, Syria –** The dramatic recapture of Aleppo by opposition forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani, has sent shockwaves through the Syrian conflict. In a lightning-fast three-day offensive, HTS forces overwhelmed government troops, seizing Syria’s second-largest city. Al-Julani, once a key figure in al-Qaeda, has significantly reshaped his image and ambitions over the past decade.

Al-Julani, whose real name is Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, rose through the ranks of al-Qaeda in Iraq before establishing al-Nusra Front in Syria. He initially aligned with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi but later rejected ISIS’s declaration of independence from al-Qaeda. Since then, he has progressively distanced HTS from transnational jihadist goals, focusing instead on establishing an “Islamic republic” within Syria.

In Idlib, HTS established the Syrian Salvation Government, providing civil services while simultaneously facing accusations of human rights abuses, including the disappearance of activists and suppression of dissent.

Despite the UN, US, Turkey, and EU designating HTS a terrorist organization, al-Julani has presented a more moderate image since the Aleppo victory, offering assurances of protection for religious and ethnic minorities. Analysts suggest this shift aims to portray HTS as a legitimate governing force and potentially a partner in counterterrorism efforts.

Al-Julani’s past, including his five-year imprisonment by US forces in Iraq, contrasts sharply with his current strategy of focusing on internal Syrian politics. His success in Aleppo demonstrates his strategic acumen and the significant influence HTS now holds in the Syrian conflict. His actions will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences both domestically and internationally.

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