Islamist leader Mohammad al-Julani takes control of Syria

Damascus

The extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has claimed victory in Syria, declaring the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime after capturing Damascus. HTS, led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, once worked alongside Al-Qaida and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in its early years. Julani, who was born as Ahmed Hussein Al-Shara, has a long history with radical groups. Initially affiliated with Al-Qaida, he was named as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US government in 2013. After a split from ISIS, Julani's Nusra Front rebranded as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and later formed HTS, which has now grown into a significant power in Syria. The group’s offensive in northern Syria began in late November, and by December, HTS had taken key cities such as Aleppo and Hama, eventually seizing Damascus. Julani’s leadership marks a shift in the region’s power dynamics as the world watches his next moves. The group, designated a terrorist organization by the US, has been pivotal in the upheaval that has destabilized Syria for over a decade. While Julani's rise signals a new chapter, international analysts express concern over the nature of the forces now in control. Russia, which maintains military bases in Syria, is monitoring the situation closely, urging all parties to resolve the conflict through peaceful means.