The offensive by his Islamist group has marked a turning point in the country’s bloody 13-year civil war
Days before his forces toppled Syria’s Assad regime, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani triumphantly walked up the steps of Aleppo’s medieval citadel, dressed head to toe in khaki and flanked by unarmed guards. On that appearance in Syria’s second city, captured as part of rebel groups’ lightning offensive across the country, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was swarmed by supporters. Jolani waved at Aleppo’s stunned residents before getting into his white jeep and driving back to the frontline.
“I was 17 or 18 years old at the time, and I started thinking about how I could fulfil my duties, defending a people who are oppressed by occupiers and invaders,” he told PBS Frontline in 2021, in one of his only interviews with western media to date. Drawn to resist the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, he landed in Baghdad after a long bus ride from Damascus just a few weeks before US forces did.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the Syrian rebel leader hoping to overthrow AssadA successful offensive by his Islamist group could mark a turning point in the country’s bloody 13-year civil war
Read more »
Syrian Islamist rebel attacks could trigger 'flood' of refugees, former British ambassador warnsRenewed fighting in Syria could triggers 'floods' of refugees, Britain's former ambassador to Syria has warned.
Read more »
Syrian Regime on the Brink of Collapse: Rebel Forces Advance on Key CitiesJihadi forces have seized control of large parts of Aleppo, putting the Syrian regime under immense pressure. Reports of a coup attempt and military conflicts in Damascus have further destabilized the situation. President Assad is desperately seeking support from Middle Eastern allies, but the regime's future remains uncertain.
Read more »
Syrian Rebel Leader May Have Been Killed in Russian AirstrikeAbu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, may have been killed in a Russian airstrike. The event follows a shock offensive by rebel forces in Aleppo.
Read more »
Syrian rebel fighters breach Aleppo for first time since 2016Insurgents led by an Islamist militant group have been heading towards Syria's second-largest since Wednesday - and seizing towns and villages along the way.
Read more »
Syrian rebel groups ‘planned offensive for months’We were joined by Dr Haid Haid, from the Middle East and North Africa Programme of the foreign affairs think tank, Chatham House.
Read more »