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 renounced ties to al-Qaida and is now referred to by his real name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. Al-Golani's group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has shifted its focus to governance and pluralism in Syria. He has sought to build ties with various ethnic and religious communities, presenting a more tolerant image. Previously known for his extremist views, al-Golani has changed his appearance and rhetoric. He now advocates for a decentralized government and claims his group poses no threat to the West.