Rebel leader Jolani declares overthrow of Assad regime as primary goal

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of the militant group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), stated that the ultimate goal of Syria’s rebel coalition is to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. 

In an exclusive interview with CNN on December 5 he made it clear that HTS, which evolved from an al-Qaeda affiliate, is determined to end Assad’s rule and create a government based on institutions and a "council chosen by the people", per Caliber.Az.

“When we talk about objectives, the goal of the revolution remains the overthrow of this regime. It is our right to use all available means to achieve that goal,” Jolani stated during the interview, his first in years.

Jolani asserted that the downfall of the regime is inevitable, despite the efforts of Iran and Russia to keep it alive. “The seeds of the regime’s defeat have always been within it… the Iranians attempted to revive the regime, buying it time, and later the Russians also tried to prop it up. But the truth remains: this regime is dead,” he said.

The interview comes amid a swift advance by Syrian rebels, led by HTS, who have recently taken control of key cities like Aleppo and Hama. These gains are seen as a major blow to Assad and his supporters, reigniting the civil war that had been largely dormant.

While HTS and its various factions share the common goal of ousting Assad, the group’s extremist roots and ties to al-Qaeda continue to cast doubt on its intentions. Despite attempts to distance itself from al-Qaeda, HTS remains designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. and other Western nations.

Jolani’s public appearance with CNN marked a notable shift from his previous secretive and militant persona. For someone who had long operated in the shadows, he appeared confident, even meeting with CNN in broad daylight and with minimal security. News of his forces capturing Hama broke during the interview.

Reflecting on his past, Jolani acknowledged his transformation over the years: “A person in their twenties will have a different personality than someone in their thirties or forties, and certainly someone in their fifties. This is human nature,” he said.

Once a fighter for al-Qaeda in Iraq, Jolani returned to Syria during the civil war and led the al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jabhat Al Nusra before it eventually evolved into HTS in 2017. Despite ongoing designations as a terrorist organization by the US, Türkiye, and others, Jolani is attempting to rebrand himself and his group.

In a symbolic gesture, Jolani also used his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, for the first time in public, distancing himself from his infamous alias. This shift in identity reflects his efforts to project a new vision for Syria’s future amidst the ongoing conflict.

By Tamilla Hasanova