Abu Mohammed Al-Golani shifts from militant to political leader in post-Assad Syria

Abu Mohammed Al-Golani, leader of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), has transformed from a militant figure to a significant political player in Syria following the fall of Bashar Assad's regime. Once affiliated with Al-Qaeda, he now seeks to present HTS as a legitimate governing body. Since rebranding from Jabhat Al-Nusra in 2016, Al-Golani has focused on local governance and community engagement. His efforts include establishing the Syrian Salvation Government in Idlib, providing services, and attempting to reshape HTS's image away from extremism. Despite these changes, skepticism remains regarding Al-Golani's true intentions and the potential for HTS to evolve into a stable political force. Regional neighbors are cautious, balancing their responses to HTS's influence amid ongoing conflicts in Syria.