Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa Emerges as Key Player

From militant leader to head of interim government, al-Sharaa navigates Syria's shifting political landscape.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Ahmed al-Sharaa, once known by the pseudonym Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, has risen from a militant fighting against the Assad regime to become the president of Syria's interim government. After leading the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to capture Aleppo and declare Damascus 'liberated', al-Sharaa has engaged in diplomacy with the US, securing the removal of sanctions and a meeting with President Trump.

Why it matters

Al-Sharaa's transformation from a designated terrorist to a recognized political leader reflects the complex and shifting dynamics of the Syrian civil war. His ability to negotiate with the US and integrate Kurdish forces into his government suggests he may be able to bring stability to Syria after years of conflict, but concerns remain about his militant past.

The details

Al-Sharaa, born in Saudi Arabia in 1982, fought against US forces in Iraq before returning to Syria in 2011 to battle the Assad regime. He led the militant group Jabhat al-Nusra, which was designated a terrorist organization by the US. In 2016, the group broke ties with al-Qaeda and became Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Under al-Sharaa's leadership, HTS captured Aleppo in 2024 and declared Damascus 'liberated' soon after, leading to Assad's exile. Al-Sharaa then engaged in diplomacy with the US, resulting in the removal of sanctions and a meeting with President Trump.

  • In 2003, al-Sharaa went to Iraq to fight against the United States.
  • In 2005, he was caught by US forces and imprisoned.
  • In 2011, he was released from detention and crossed back into Syria to start fighting against the Assad regime.
  • In December 2012, the US State Department designated Jabhat al-Nusra, led by al-Sharaa, a foreign terrorist organization.
  • In May 2013, al-Sharaa was placed on the US Specially Designated Global Terrorist list.

The players

Ahmed al-Sharaa

The president of Syria's interim government, formerly known by the pseudonym Abu Mohammad al-Jolani and the leader of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Bashar al-Assad

The former president of Syria, whose regime was overthrown by rebel forces led by al-Sharaa.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

The former leader of ISIS, who backed al-Sharaa's return to Syria in 2011.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who met with al-Sharaa in Riyadh and at the White House, and oversaw the removal of sanctions on Syria.

Hamza al-Mustafa

The minister of information for Syria's interim government, who announced that Syria had joined the US-led international coalition to combat ISIS.

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What they’re saying

“This victory, my brothers, is a victory for the entire Islamic nation. This new triumph, my brothers, marks a new chapter in the history of the region.”

— Ahmed al-Sharaa (CNN)

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Al-Sharaa is expected to continue his diplomatic outreach to the international community, including further meetings with President Trump, as he works to rebuild Syria and integrate the country back into the global fold.

The takeaway

Ahmed al-Sharaa's transformation from a militant leader to the president of Syria's interim government highlights the complex and evolving nature of the Syrian conflict. His ability to negotiate with the US and bring together diverse factions suggests he may be able to provide the stability Syria needs, but his past as a designated terrorist remains a concern.