The aim is to "overthrow" the Assad regime, according to a Syrian rebel leader.
Jolani made it clear in an exclusive interview that the goals of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a group founded by a former al Qaeda branch, are nothing less than overthrowing the Assad government. He discussed intentions to establish an institution-based administration and a "council chosen by the people" in his first in-person interview with the media in years, which took place in an unknown location in Syria.
When discussing goals, the removal of this dictatorship continues to be the revolution's principal purpose. We have the right to employ whatever strategy at our disposal to accomplish that objective," Jolani stated.
"It was always the seeds of the regime's downfall... The Russians later attempted to support the regime after the Iranians tried to prolong its existence. However, the fact remains: this dictatorship is no longer in power.
The rebels have advanced remarkably quickly after breaking out of their little area in the country's northwest more than a week ago, seizing Aleppo, the second-largest city in the country, and then taking over the vital city of Hama. In addition to rekindling a civil war that had been mainly dormant for years, the unexpected onslaught dealt Assad and his supporters in Iran and Russia a devastating blow.
Although Syria's opposition forces are dispersed and comprise a variety of ideologies, they are all working towards the same objective: to overthrow the Assad government. However, Jolani's aspirations are clouded by HTS and his affiliation with radical Islamist groups.
The United States designated HTS a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 2018 and put a $10 million bounty on Jolani, despite his attempts to disassociate his new outfit from al Qaeda.
Coming out of the shadows
In his interview , which was held in broad daylight with no protection, Jolani seemed confident and made an effort to appear current for someone who had previously worked in the shadows. News emerged that the city of Hama had been taken by forces led by Jolani as sat down to interview him.
It is evident that he functions more like a politician than a wanted guy inside Syrian area controlled by rebels. He appeared publicly at Aleppo's old citadel following the capture of the city by his loyalist forces.
The United States designated HTS a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 2018 and put a $10 million bounty on Jolani, despite his attempts to disassociate his new outfit from al Qaeda.
Coming out of the shadows
In his interview , which was held in broad daylight with no protection, Jolani seemed confident and made an effort to appear current for someone who had previously worked in the shadows. News emerged that the city of Hama had been taken by forces led by Jolani as sat down to interview him.
It is evident that he functions more like a politician than a wanted guy inside Syrian area controlled by rebels. He appeared publicly at Aleppo's old citadel following the capture of the city by his loyalist forces.
Jolani claims that over the years, he has experienced periods of metamorphosis. A person in their twenties will not be the same as someone in their thirties, forties, or even their fifties in terms of personality. Human nature is like this.
As a young al Qaeda warrior in Iraq, Jolani gained experience fighting the US. He led the terrorist organization's affiliate in Syria when it was known as Jabhat Al Nusra after returning home during the civil war. He would later sever his connections with al Qaeda, and in early 2017, his group changed its name to Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, or the Organisation for the Liberation of the Levant.
Assad's backers have strengthened his grip over the nation. Following the 2011 Arab Spring, Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah assisted in the fight against armed rebel groups on the ground as anti-government forces expanded. Russian warplanes supported the Syrian Air Force in the airspace.
He went on to say, "Syria deserves an institutionalised system of governance, not one in which a single ruler makes decisions at random." Since 1971, the Assad dynasty has ruled for 53 years. The regime has brutally relocated millions of people both domestically and internationally, imprisoned dissidents, and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of people in order to sustain its decades-long control.
As a young al Qaeda warrior in Iraq, Jolani gained experience fighting the US. He led the terrorist organization's affiliate in Syria when it was known as Jabhat Al Nusra after returning home during the civil war. He would later sever his connections with al Qaeda, and in early 2017, his group changed its name to Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, or the Organisation for the Liberation of the Levant.
Despite HTS's efforts to disassociate itself from its origins, the US, Turkey, the UN, and a number of other Western countries still classify the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
The tough rhetoric Jolani employed in his first-ever televised interview in 2013, when he was interviewed by Al Jazeera with his face in shadow, was a complete 180-degree turn-around from his interview on Thursday. His comments at the time were intended to support the Syrian branch of al Qaeda.
Jolani offered an alternative perspective for the war-torn nation on Thursday. In an effort to change his reputation, he also used his true name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in public for the first time rather than his well-known alias.
The tough rhetoric Jolani employed in his first-ever televised interview in 2013, when he was interviewed by Al Jazeera with his face in shadow, was a complete 180-degree turn-around from his interview on Thursday. His comments at the time were intended to support the Syrian branch of al Qaeda.
Jolani offered an alternative perspective for the war-torn nation on Thursday. In an effort to change his reputation, he also used his true name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in public for the first time rather than his well-known alias.
Jolani maintained that citizens had nothing to fear in the administration of opposition-held regions of Syria, even as the rebel coalition's military advances increase the area and population under their control. He asserted that those who are afraid of Islamic governance either don't fully comprehend it or have witnessed improper applications of it.
He envisioned Assad's administration changing into "a state of governance, institutions, and so on" if opposition forces are successful in overthrowing it.
He envisioned Assad's administration changing into "a state of governance, institutions, and so on" if opposition forces are successful in overthrowing it.
According to the group, it is trying to reassure groups and people who were persecuted by jihadist and extremist organisations throughout Syria's ten-year civil conflict. Additionally, it stated that it has made a concerted effort to publicly assure Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities that they will be secure while living under its authority.
When questioned about worries for their safety, Jolani responded, "We addressed these issues, but there were some violations against them [minorities] by certain individuals during periods of chaos."
"No one is entitled to eradicate another group." No one has the authority to eradicate these groups since they have lived side by side in this area for hundreds of years," he stated.
When questioned about worries for their safety, Jolani responded, "We addressed these issues, but there were some violations against them [minorities] by certain individuals during periods of chaos."
"No one is entitled to eradicate another group." No one has the authority to eradicate these groups since they have lived side by side in this area for hundreds of years," he stated.
However, local monitors and human rights organisations have expressed concern over HTS's more recent handling of political dissidents in Idlib, claiming that the group tortured and mistreated dissidents in addition to carrying out brutal crackdowns on protesters. Prison torture events "were not done under our orders or directions," Jolani said , adding that HTS had already penalised individuals responsible.
Jolani also resisted HTS's long-standing identification as a terror organisation, claiming that the term was "primarily political and, at the same time, inaccurate." He said that certain radical Islamist actions had "created a divide" between HTS and jihadist organisations. He stated that he severed his connections with other jihadi groups because he disagreed with some of their more violent methods. Additionally, he asserted that he was never directly responsible for any attacks on people.
Despite the abrupt takeover by opposition troops only a week ago, Aleppo seemed peaceful when the crew visited the city earlier in the day. Even after pro-Assad Russian aeroplanes bombed districts controlled by rebels, markets remained open, people continued to roam the streets, and life continued on.
Assad's backers have strengthened his grip over the nation. Following the 2011 Arab Spring, Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah assisted in the fight against armed rebel groups on the ground as anti-government forces expanded. Russian warplanes supported the Syrian Air Force in the airspace.
Jolani stated that he wanted foreign troops to withdraw from Syria. Currently, the nation is home to Iranian proxies as well as forces from the US, Turkey, Russia, and Iran. "I believe that the problem will be solved once this regime is overthrown, and no more foreign forces will need to be stationed in Syria."
He went on to say, "Syria deserves an institutionalised system of governance, not one in which a single ruler makes decisions at random." Since 1971, the Assad dynasty has ruled for 53 years. The regime has brutally relocated millions of people both domestically and internationally, imprisoned dissidents, and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of people in order to sustain its decades-long control.
Jolani went on, "We are discussing a bigger project – we are discussing the construction of Syria." "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is only one aspect of this conversation, and it might end at any moment. It is a tool to accomplish a goal: opposing this government, not an end in and of itself.
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