Who is Ahmad al-Sharaa? Islamist rebel leader named Syria’s interim president

Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly an al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist, has become Syria’s interim president after leading the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Despite distancing himself from al-Qaeda and rebranding his group, his past leadership of the suppressive HTS raises concerns about his governance approach.

​Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly an al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist, has become Syria’s interim president after leading the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Despite distancing himself from al-Qaeda and rebranding his group, his past leadership of the suppressive HTS raises concerns about his governance approach.