Abu Mohammad al-Jolani emerges as key figure in Syria's political landscape after Assad's ousting

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has emerged as a key figure in Syria following the recent ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. Once a terrorist with a $10 million bounty on his head, he now presents himself as a moderate leader. Al-Jolani, born in Saudi Arabia, has shifted his image from a militant in camouflage to a more polished figure in a blazer. He claims to seek a governing system that benefits all Syrians, distancing himself from his past ties to Al Qaeda and ISIS. Despite his new approach, HTS remains designated as a terrorist organization in some countries. Al-Jolani's rise marks a significant change in the Syrian conflict landscape, as he positions himself as a potential leader in a post-Assad Syria.