Headline
Who is Abu Mohammed Al-Golani, the Figure behind the Syrian Rebel Leader Who Challenged Assad's Rule?
The Syrian militant leader Abu Muhammad al-Ghulani emerged as the driving force behind a rebel uprising that resulted in the weakening of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime over the weekend. This development placed a spotlight on al-Ghulani, a former al-Qaeda affiliate who has been attempting to distance himself and his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (Liberation of the Levant) rebel group from its radical Islamic origins.
Important Information
Syrian-born and raised in Damascus for most of his life, al-Ghulani, 42, had a history of fighting for al-Qaeda in Iraq. He reemerged in Syria at the start of the Syrian civil war as the leader of the Nusra Front, a direct affiliate of al-Qaeda listed as a terror group by the U.S. State Department. Although initially allied with ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, al-Ghulani's forces eventually engaged in conflicts with ISIS after al-Baghdadi severed ties with al-Qaeda.
In a 2014 interview on Al Jazeera, al-Ghulani dismissed international political talks to resolve the Syrian civil war and declared his aim was to establish Syria under Islamic law, with no special concessions for the country's religious minorities like Christians, Alawites, Druze, and others.
In 2016, al-Ghulani renamed the Nusra Front to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (Syria Conquest Front) and severed ties with al-Qaeda, emphasizing his group's focus was on Syria only and did not have international goals like al-Qaeda and ISIS.
As the Assad government regained control over most of its territory, al-Ghulani and his group consolidated power in Syria's Idlib province and later rebranded themselves again in 2018 to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, their current name.
Last year, reports suggested al-Ghulani was working to rebrand himself as a moderate. This included dissolving the extremist religious police in Idlib, allowing mass to be held at a church, and stating his group had no intention of imposing Islamic law by force.
As the rebel offensive advanced through Syria, al-Ghulani reassured minority groups they would be protected.
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Al-Ghulani's Early Life and Family
Born Ahmad Hussein al-Shara to Syrian parents in Saudi Arabia, al-Ghulani claimed his family hails from the Golan Heights, a territory occupied by Israel. In a 2021 interview with PBS' Frontline, al-Ghulani revealed that his father was an admirer of Egypt's former President Gamal Abdel Nasser and opposed the Ba'ath party that ruled Syria. Al-Ghulani alleged his father was imprisoned and then exiled to Saudi Arabia due to his opposition to the Ba'athists, a group that included Bashar al-Assad and his father Hafez al-Assad. The family later returned to Damascus in 1989, where al-Ghulani grew up in a liberal middle-class neighborhood. Not much else is known about al-Ghulani's early life in Syria, but in 2003, he joined al-Qaida's Iraqi affiliate to fight against U.S. occupation forces and was subsequently imprisoned in Abu Ghraib for five years.
Al-Ghulani's Vision for Governing Syria
In a recent CNN interview, al-Ghulani spoke about the ideal way to govern Syria and addressed his earlier comments promoting strict Islamic rule while leaving the door open for his role in a post-Assad Syria. He stated the priority should be building institutions, arguing that Syria required a more institutional system rather than one with a single ruler making arbitrary decisions. He also added that people who feared Islamic governing systems did so due to misconceptions or a lack of understanding. Al-Ghulani hinted that his group was not necessarily involved in governance, stating, "We are talking about building Syria; Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is just one part of this conversation, and it may dissolve at any time."
al-Ghulani's Statements After Assad Fell
Shortly after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, al-Ghulani, using his birth name, addressed thousands of supporters at Damascus' Umayyad Mosque. He said the victory was a triumph for the entire Islamic nation and marked the start of a new chapter in the region's history, which had left Syria vulnerable to Iranian influence and sectarian tensions. Another commander of the rebel forces, Anas Salkhadi, later appeared on state television and declared, "Our message to all the sects of Syria is that we tell them that Syria is for everyone."
Even as Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham tries to project an image of moderation, its behavior while governing Idlib has drawn criticism. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think-tank based in Washington D.C., the group has demonstrated "limited tolerance for political opposition," swiftly and harshly responding to any protests or civilians' complaints. They've even been accused of detaining and torturing journalists and political adversaries.
Significant Reward
Up to $10 million. That's the monetary incentive offered by the U.S. State Department for information leading to al-Golani's capture. Despite its makeover, the group continues to appear on the State Department's list of designated terrorist groups. In an interview with PBS in 2021, al-Golani argued that the terror label was unwarranted as his group posed no threat to the West and he strongly denounced harming innocent people.
Notable Quote
In a statement on Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "We've noticed recent statements by rebel leaders, but as they assume more responsibility, we will judge not just their words, but their deeds. We reiterate our call for all parties to respect human rights, take all necessary measures to protect civilians, and adhere to international humanitarian law."
Important Context
The rebel group's control of Damascus followed a week-long offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other anti-Assad forces. Aleppo was the first city to fall, after which Assad and his family left the country and sought refuge in Moscow, where they were granted asylum. Assad's departure sealed an end to his 24-year reign as Syria's authoritarian leader—a position he inherited from his father Hafez, who ruled for 30 years before his demise in 2000. The civil war in Syria began in 2011 when Assad's forces cracked down on demonstrations and pro-democracy rallies across the country, spurred by the wider Arab Spring movement.
Points to Keep an Eye On
The rebels have promised to enable Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali to continue his duties and collaborate closely with his administration to ensure the operation of public institutions in the country. Al-Jalali himself has vowed to hold elections in the country soon.
Additional Reading
Syria’s Bashar Al-Assad Flee To Moscow After Regime Collapses, Russian Media Reports (Our Website)
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the Syrian rebel leader and the driving force behind the uprising that weakened President Bashar al-Assad's regime, expressed his vision for governing Syria during a recent CNN interview. He suggested building institutions and argued that Syria required a more institutional system that moved away from arbitrary decision-making. However, he also hinted that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, his group, could dissolve at any time.
Despite attempts to rebrand as a moderate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by al-Golani, has been accused of demonstrating limited tolerance for political opposition and swiftly responding to civilian complaints with harsh measures, including detaining and torturing journalists and political adversaries. This behavior has drawn criticism towards the group while under its control in Idlib.
