The Mysterious Leader of Syrian Rebels: Abu Mohammed al-Jolani

tel aviv - Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the elusive leader of the Syrian terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is under scrutiny for his true intentions and connections.

Experts describe Abu Mohammed al-Jolani as a power-hungry leader, more focused on gaining power than on radical Islamic ideologies. However, he relies on extremist allies to achieve his goals, as the rebel groups in Syria are dominated by jihadists.

Al-Jolani attempts to portray himself as more moderate, especially to shed the label of 'terrorist'. He engaged in a PR campaign, including interviews with Western journalists, emphasizing that his movement poses no threat to the West.

Despite the facade of moderation, Al-Jolani's underlying jihadist ideology remains unchanged, as highlighted by researchers Rahaf Aldoughli and Azzam al-Kassir. They caution against his quest for international recognition, pointing out his continued ties to extremism.

During the ongoing offensive in Aleppo and Hama, Al-Jolani aims to present a positive image, but reports of crimes against minorities raise concerns. His family background, upbringing in Saudi Arabia, and militant history add layers to his complex profile.

While Al-Jolani claims a more moderate stance, experts like Aaron Y. Zelin maintain that HTS is fundamentally a jihadist organization, justifying its designation as a terrorist group due to its extremist views and involvement in international terror acts.

HTS's support for violent incidents and connections to radical actions abroad raise questions about Al-Jolani's true objectives, beyond the facade of moderation he presents.