Thu Jan 30 05:39:07 UTC 2025: ## Former Syrian Rebel Leader Appointed Interim President

**DAMASCUS, SYRIA –** Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist rebel leader and head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, has been appointed as Syria’s interim president. This follows a swift military offensive launched on December 8th, which ousted long-time President Bashar al-Assad after over 13 years of civil war. Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, assumed de facto leadership following the successful offensive.

While once affiliated with al-Qaeda, al-Sharaa’s group has since denounced those ties. In recent years, he has cultivated a public image as a champion of pluralism and tolerance, promising to protect the rights of minorities. He has engaged in numerous interviews with international media outlets, portraying himself as a patriot seeking to rebuild and unify Syria.

Al-Sharaa’s path to leadership was marked by a complex evolution. Born in Saudi Arabia in 1982, he was raised in Damascus. According to reports, his involvement with jihadist ideologies began after the September 11th attacks. He subsequently fought in Iraq alongside Abu Musab al-Zarqawi before being detained for five years.

The United States, which had previously offered a $10 million bounty for his capture, cancelled the reward last month following a meeting between a U.S. delegation and al-Sharaa in Damascus. U.S. diplomat Barbara Leaf described al-Sharaa as “pragmatic” after their meeting. The appointment has sparked international attention, raising questions about the future of Syria under his leadership.

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