The primary objective of Syria’s rebel coalition, which has recently seized another significant city from government control, is to overthrow the authoritarian rule of President Bashar al-Assad. This intent was made clear by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the main armed opposition group, during an exclusive interview with CNN.
Jolani left no ambiguity about the ambitions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an organization born from a former al Qaeda affiliate. Speaking from a secret location in Syria, he outlined his vision for a future government built on institutions and a council “chosen by the people.”
“Our revolution’s goal remains the removal of this regime. We have the right to utilize all means at our disposal to achieve it,” Jolani declared. “The seeds of its downfall are inherent within the regime itself. While Iran and later Russia attempted to breathe life into it, the reality is that this regime is already dead.”
Rapid Advances by Rebels
The rebel coalition has made astonishing progress over the past week, moving swiftly from their base in the northwest to take Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, and then capturing the strategic hub of Hama. This offensive has delivered a crushing blow to Assad and his allies in Iran and Russia, reigniting a civil war that had been relatively dormant for years.
Despite this success, Syria’s opposition forces remain decentralized and ideologically diverse, unified only by their shared objective of overthrowing Assad. However, the extremist roots of HTS and Jolani’s past connections to Islamist movements cast a shadow over their aspirations.
A Leader Emerges from the Shadows
Jolani, once an elusive figure, exuded confidence during his meeting with CNN. Conducted in daylight with minimal security, the interview coincided with news that his forces had captured Hama.
In rebel-controlled areas, Jolani now acts more like a political figure than a fugitive. After the fall of Aleppo, he made a public appearance at the city’s historic citadel. Reflecting on his personal journey, Jolani noted, “A person in their twenties is different from someone in their thirties or forties, and certainly in their fifties. Change is part of human nature.”
Jolani began his militant career as a young fighter with al Qaeda in Iraq before returning to Syria during the civil war to lead the group’s Syrian affiliate, then called Jabhat al-Nusra. By 2017, he severed ties with al Qaeda, rebranding his group as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, also known as the Organization for the Liberation of the Levant.
Despite this rebranding, HTS remains designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States, Turkey, the United Nations, and several Western nations.
Rebranding and Shifting Narratives
In contrast to his hardline rhetoric during his 2013 interview with Al Jazeera—where he appeared in shadows and spoke in support of al Qaeda’s Syrian branch—Jolani presented a drastically different image in his conversation with CNN. For the first time, he publicly used his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, signaling an effort to rebrand his image and distance himself from his militant past.
He envisioned a post-Assad Syria transitioning into a governance system based on institutions. Jolani also sought to reassure civilians and minority groups, including Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities, of their safety under rebel rule. “Some violations occurred during chaotic periods, but we addressed these issues,” he stated, emphasizing coexistence.
Addressing Allegations
Jolani dismissed accusations of harsh treatment against political dissidents in rebel-controlled areas, including reports of protests being violently suppressed and detainees being tortured. He claimed such incidents were not sanctioned by HTS leadership and that those responsible had been held accountable.
He also rejected HTS’s ongoing classification as a terrorist group, calling it “politically motivated and inaccurate.” Jolani argued that his group has distanced itself from extremist practices and severed ties with jihadist factions employing brutal tactics.
Looking Ahead
Jolani expressed a strong desire for all foreign forces to leave Syria, including troops from the United States, Turkey, Russia, and Iran, along with Iranian-backed militias. “Once this regime falls, there will be no need for foreign forces to remain,” he asserted.
“Syria deserves a governance system rooted in institutions, not one where a single ruler makes arbitrary decisions,” he said. For 53 years, the Assad family has maintained control through violence, imprisonment, and the displacement of millions.
“We’re not just talking about overthrowing a regime; we’re talking about rebuilding Syria,” Jolani emphasized. He described HTS as a means to an end, suggesting that the group could dissolve once its mission of confronting the Assad regime is complete.
