Abu Mohammed al-Golani leads insurgency that topples Assad in Syria

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, now known as Ahmad al-Sharaa, leads the insurgency that has toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad. He has shifted his image from a jihadi extremist to a proponent of pluralism and state-building, dropping his nom de guerre. Al-Golani's group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has gained control of Damascus, while Assad has gone into hiding. This marks a significant change in Syria's governance after decades of Assad's rule, raising questions about the future of the country's diverse communities. Once affiliated with al-Qaida, al-Golani has distanced himself from extremism, promoting tolerance and institutional governance. He has consolidated power in Idlib and aims to reassure various ethnic and religious groups amid the ongoing conflict.