Abu Mohammed al-Golani rebrands as moderate leader of Syrian insurgency

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, leader of the insurgency that toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad, is rebranding himself as a moderate. He has dropped his nom de guerre and now uses his real name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, to promote a message of pluralism. Al-Golani's group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has gained control in Damascus as Assad has fled. Al-Golani aims to distance himself from his past ties to al-Qaida and present a new image focused on governance and inclusivity. Once a hardline Islamist, al-Golani has shifted to a more diplomatic approach, advocating for a decentralized government. He has sought to build relationships with various ethnic and religious communities in Syria, aiming to reassure them amid ongoing conflict.