Syrian rebels topple Assad regime: Jolani takes the helm
On Sunday, Syrian rebels declared that Bashar al-Assad's regime had been overthrown. Russians claim that Assad has left his position as the country's president and has fled Syria. According to "The Telegraph," his family is also in Russia. Syria now has a new leader, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani.
Two organizations are involved in this power shift: HTS, also known as the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led by Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, and the Syrian National Army. There are reports that Turkey helped coordinate the rebel offensive and gave it the green light. However, Turkish authorities officially deny any involvement in the recent events in Syria.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reportedly flew out of Damascus on Sunday in an unknown direction. On the same day, there were reports that he had died in a plane crash. Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Gazi al-Jalali stated that since Saturday evening, Assad's whereabouts have been unclear. However, a few hours later, the Russian Foreign Ministry, which had supported his regime for years, announced that he had left the country. Assad's family is reportedly in Russia.
Abu Muhammad al-Jolani speaks. "This regime is dead"
A critical role in the events in Syria is played by the aforementioned Islamist group HTS and its leader, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani. In a televised statement, he and two companions announced the liberation of Syria's capital and the overthrow of Assad after his 24-year rule. HTS is now the most powerful armed opposition group in Syria.
On Friday, Jolani gave an interview to CNN, which emphasized that it took place in broad daylight with minimal protection. He stated that the goal of the Syrian rebel coalition is ultimately to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad and to establish a government based on institutions and a "council chosen by the people."
"The seeds of the regime’s defeat have always been within it… the Iranians attempted to revive the regime, buying it time, and later the Russians also tried to prop it up. But the truth remains: this regime is dead," Jolani said on Friday.
On Sunday, the HTS leader announced that Syrian state institutions would be overseen by former Prime Minister Mohammed Jalali until their official handover to the new authority. According to Reuters, this signals a desire to ensure an orderly transition after the rebels announced the end of Assad's rule.
Who is Abu Muhammad al-Jolani?
Jolani is believed to be 42 years old. He was born in Saudi Arabia and returned to Syria with his family in 1989. Two years after the attack on the World Trade Center, he went to Iraq and joined Al-Qaeda. Three years later, he was captured by the Americans and held for five years. After regaining his freedom, he was tasked with establishing an Al-Qaeda branch in Syria, according to Al Jazeera. During this time, he collaborated with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the future leader of ISIS. However, he soon distanced himself from these organizations.
In the following years, Jolani appeared to distance himself from Al-Qaeda's goals, which included the creation of a "global caliphate" in all Muslim countries. Instead, he focused on building a strong organization in Syria. In 2017, HTS was formed, and he became its leader.
The Washington think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies describes Jawlani and his rebels as setting their goal to liberate Syria from Assad's autocratic government, expel Iranian militias from the country, and establish a state based on their interpretation of "Islamic law."
In 2018, the United States designated HTS as a foreign terrorist organization and offered a $10 million reward for Jolani's capture.
Inside rebel-controlled territory in Syria, it’s clear he operates less like a wanted man and more like a politician. After forces loyal to him took control of Aleppo, he made a public appearance in the city’s historic citadel, according to CNN.
Will he survive as Syria's leader, or is he merely a temporary figure? There is no definitive answer. Media reports emphasize that opposition forces in Syria are decentralized and operate based on different ideologies, while sharing the common goal of overthrowing Assad's regime.
