Syrian rebel leader al-Golani claims to distance from al-Qaeda roots

Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani claims his group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has changed from its al-Qaeda roots. He asserts that minorities in Idlib have nothing to fear and blames past rights violations on individual actions during chaotic times. Another rebel commander echoed this message, stating that Syria belongs to all sects. However, concerns remain about al-Golani's past and the true nature of his leadership, with some experts questioning the sincerity of his calls for pluralism. Al-Golani's recent speech at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus has raised eyebrows. While he criticized sectarianism, he focused on Sunni identity, suggesting a complex balance between his claims of inclusivity and underlying sectarian sentiments.