Misbar’s Analysis
Abu Mohammed al-Golani: In the past two weeks, this name has been circulating widely in the media following the incidents that rapidly escalated in Syria, leading to the fall of the Syrian regime on December 8.
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, whose real name is Ahmed al-Sharaa, has led the Syrian opposition and, in only 12 days, was able to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government.
Who Is Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Known as Abu Mohammed Al-Golani?
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who since November 27 prefers to use his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is the current leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which leads the opposition in Syria, the BBC reported.
Abu Mohammed al-Golani was born in 1982 and raised in Mazzeh, an upmarket district of Damascus, Syria.
When Did Al-Golani Join Al-Qaida?
Ahmed al-Sharaa left from Syria to Iraq and chose his jihadi nickname Abu Mohammed al-Golani when he joined al-Qaida group, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in 2003, the Associated Press reported.
As a member of al-Qaida, al-Golani fought the U.S. in Iraq but was detained by American forces for five years in al-Taji prison before his release, Ahmed al-Sharaa said in a 2021 interview with PBS.
Under the al-Qaida umbrella, the ISIS group was established in Iraq and led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, AP added.
Abu Mohammed Al-Golani Establishes the Nusra Front in Syria
The Syrian uprising started in 2011 against Bashar al-Assad and the regime government leading to a civil war, al-Golani was sent to Syria by al-Baghdadi to establish an al-Qaida branch called the Nusra Front.
The Nusrat Front group was designed by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization and placed a $10 million bounty on Abu Mohammed al-Golani, AP further revealed.
Abu Mohammed Al-Golani Leaves Al-Qaida
The Guardian reported that Abu Mohammed al-Golani left al-Qaida group in 2016 and portrayed himself as a moderate leader.
Renaming Nusra Front to Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)
Amid the revolution against al-Assad, various opposition groups emerged in Syria, including the Nusrat Front, ISIS, and other factions led by prominent leaders, most notably Abu Muhammad al-Golani.
After breaking ties with al-Qaida group, the Nusrat Front merged with other anti-regime groups in northwestern Syria in 2017 and formed what is known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.
The HTS group controlled part of northwest Syria, largely Idlib province and some areas in Aleppo, the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) mentioned.
The Fall of the Al-Assad Regime
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, or Ahmed al-Sharaa, announced Operation “Deterrence of Aggression” on November 27 against the al-Assad regime, which governed Syria for over 50 years.
Rebels began the operation in Aleppo province and quickly gained control as Syrian forces withdrew from major positions. HTS members then captured Hama and Homs, moving toward Damascus, the Syrian capital, which fell on December 8.
Abu Mohammed Al-Golani’s First Public Appearance After Ousting Al-Assad
A few hours after the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the news that he escaped to Russia and gained asylum, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, 42, made his first appearance at the Great Mosque of Damascus (known as the Umayyad Mosque).
From the Umayyad Mosque, al-Sharaa declared the fall of the al-Assad regime and called it a 'victory for the Islamic nation.'
Syrian Transitional Government
Reuters revealed that after ousting the al-Assad regime, Abu Mohammed al-Golani announced the formation of a temporary government and appointed Mohamed al-Bashir as caretaker prime minister until March 2025, al-Bashir declared in a televised statement.
It is worth mentioning that al-Bashir also led the opposition government, which contributed to the fall of the Syrian regime during the 12 days of fighting from November 27 to December 8.
International Reactions to the Fall of the Al-Assad Regime in Syria
World leaders have shared their optimism and support for the Syrian people after the ousting of the Syrian regime, with some countries pledging possible assistance until a new government is formed in Damascus.
The United States, which already has troops positioned in Syria, revealed that its forces are expected to stay to prevent an ISIS resurgence. Daniel Shapiro, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, stated that after the fall of the regime, “no one should shed any tears.”
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, posted on X: “In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity.” On the other hand, Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan, said: “Today, there is hope,” The New York Times reported.
In addition, The United Nations’ special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, reacted by saying: “Today marks a watershed moment in Syria’s history.” He also urged the people of Syria to respect humanitarian law and human rights in the upcoming period.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II expressed support for the Syrian people and their desire for peace after years of civil war and conflict.
Nonetheless, Qatar’s foreign ministry called on the new government to preserve the “national institutions,” stressing that dialogue is the solution for a better future in Syria.
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