Al-Golani emerges as key leader in Syria after ousting Assad's regime

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, once a hidden leader of Al Qaeda's Syrian branch, has emerged as a prominent figure after breaking ties with the group in 2016. His faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), recently claimed to have ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Golani has taken steps to reassure Syrian minorities during the takeover, urging his fighters to protect civilians. He has publicly embraced symbols of the mainstream opposition, marking a shift from his earlier stance as a radical Islamist leader. Previously designated a terrorist by the U.S., Golani now argues that his group poses no threat to the West. He emphasizes that HTS has ended its association with Al Qaeda and opposes violence against innocents.