Abu Mohammed al-Julani

Protesters outside US embassy demand US, Israeli action after Kurdish massacre

Several signs pointed to Israel’s close relationship with the Kurdish community. One read “Israel loves Kurdistan,” while others went further, openly calling for military action against the regime.

Around 50 protesters gathered outside the US embassy to protest against what they described as Washington's inaction in the face of the latest massacre in Syria carried out by the Sharaa regime, on January 21, 2026.
From Islamist rebel chief to statesman, embraced by major world leaders, Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has undergone a stunning transformation in just six months since ousting longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad.

Sharaa or al-Julani? IDF still suspicious of Syrian leader after Sweida massacre - analysis

A Druze boy holds a flag as he looks at the ceasefire line between Golan Heights and Syria, on the day of first visit by Druze delegation from Syria just after 1973 war in Israel, March 14, 2025.

'To live without fear': Israeli Druze leader shares vision for Syrian community

 Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends an interview with Reuters at the presidential palace, in Damascus, Syria March 10, 2025.

Syria's Sharaa will attend Arab Summit, marking a potential path towards stability


Is there hope for a democratic future for Syria? - opinion

Whether Julani sees himself as a more moderate version of Assad or as the political head of a democratically elected, representative government is the question.

 PEOPLE GATHER during a celebration called by HTS at Umayyad Square in Damascus in December.

Bashar al-Assad's wife files for divorce, seeks to move to UK - report

Asma al-Assad moved to Syria in 2000 and married Assad in the same year at the age of 25. 

 Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (C) and his wife Asma al-Assad (L) attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Asian Games at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 23, 2023.

Has Julani become a pragmatic politician after being a jihadist leader? - opinion

Has he really changed, or is Julani a clever politician who knows how to direct the right message to his target audiences?

Illustrative image of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader, Abu Mohammad al-Julani.

A blow to Iran: New Syrian government bans Iranians from flying over the country

Why is there growing concern in the security establishment about the new regime in Syria if it's blocking Iranian weapons shipments?

 Top rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani speaks to a crowd at Ummayad Mosque in Damascus, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, Syria December 8, 2024.

Turkey's foreign minister meets HTS leader in Damascus

Fidan's visit comes amid fighting in northeast Syria between Turkey-backed Syrian fighters and the Kurdish YPG militia.

 Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, in Damascus, Syria, December 22, 2024.

This week on TV: Temperatures rise in ‘Tehran,' Shtisel spin-off, and 'The Jihadist'

Keep up-to-date with all the latest and best shows on TV and streaming this week.

 A SCENE from ‘Tehran.’

Israel’s got a new neighbor: Turkey's taking over Syria - opinion

Israel, for its part, must prepare for the challenges posed by this shifting landscape.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with European Commision President Ursula von der Leyen in Ankara this week. Just six months ago, Erdogan vowed: 'Just as we entered Karabakh and Libya, we will do the same in Israel,' the writer notes.

US officials had 'good' meeting with Syria's de-facto new ruler, remove $10 billion bounty

The visit comes as Western governments are gradually opening channels to HTS and its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, and start debating whether or not to remove the terrorist designation on the group.

 The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, address a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024.

Julani tells BBC: This is not Afghanistan, we will educate women

Julani said they would not be restricting the rights of women and highlighted that Syria was very different from Afghanistan. 

 Top rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Julani speaks to a crowd at Ummayad Mosque in Damascus, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, Syria December 8, 2024.

Avoiding past mistakes: Seven key concerns about the Islamist approach in Syria - opinion

The joy of seeing the fall of the tyranny of the Assad regime also compels us to ask many questions to avoid repeating the catastrophic failures of Islamist movements.

A rebel led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stands in the back of a vehicle in al-Rashideen, Aleppo province, Syria November 29, 2024.