The Biden administration has recently ceased its reward program for information leading to the capture of Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria and head of the jihadist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Sharaa, previously known by his jihadist alias Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, made headlines after meeting with senior State Department officials, which contributed to the decision to terminate the reward program despite HTS remaining designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government. This strategic move follows the organization’s significant military advances, notably its capture of Aleppo and subsequent control near Damascus, leading to the exile of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
HTS, an offshoot of al-Qaeda formerly known as the Nusra Front, established itself as a dominant force opposing Assad’s regime. This transformation was marked by its successful military campaigns, culminating in the conquest of Aleppo. Following Assad’s abrupt retreat from Syria, Sharaa has emerged as a key player in steering the country’s future, opting to shed his militant image in favor of a more diplomatic facade. He has recently adopted a Western-style appearance and engaged in efforts to reach out to Western nations, attempting to convey a narrative of pragmatism while addressing claims regarding a potential totalitarian rule in Syria.
Diplomatic efforts culminated in a notable interaction between Barbara Leaf, a high-ranking U.S. diplomat, and Sharaa, where Leaf described their discussions as productive and indicative of his pragmatic approach. This prompted the U.S. to retract its bounty offer, which had previously stood at $10 million, marking a substantial shift in U.S. policy towards the leadership of Sharaa, a figure once identified as responsible for numerous barbarous acts against civilians in Syria. Notably, the Rewards for Justice program had previously chronicled Sharaa’s terrorist activities, revealing a pattern of aggression and violent operations targeting civilians.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Sharaa pushed back against claims that HTS is a terrorist organization, asserting that the group does not target civilians despite admitting to violence against the Assad military. He sought to project an image of inclusivity and coexistence among Syria’s diverse population, claiming that discussions and dialogues would ensure representation across sectarian lines. Sharaa presented the narrative that Syrians are capable of understanding and managing civil governance, distancing himself from the severe interpretations of Islamic rule exemplified by groups like the Taliban.
Despite these assurances of a more inclusive government, concerns about HTS’s rising influence in Damascus have surfaced. Investigations reveal that HTS is positioning extremist clerics in new judicial roles and appointing high-ranking figures from their ranks to government positions, alarming local populations who are uncertain about the shift in power dynamics. The situation has prompted wariness among city residents regarding the influx of HTS affiliates into official government structures and raises questions about the group’s ability to govern inclusively amid significant ideological leanings towards Islamist governance.
Moreover, Sharaa’s remarks, particularly regarding the public’s apprehensions surrounding Islamic governance, illustrate his attempts to mitigate fears but also expose gaps in his commitment to liberal civil liberties. While he professes to support education for women and Kurds without persecution, his evasiveness on contentious social issues such as the consumption of alcohol underlines the complexities of his purported governing philosophy. This interplay of promises and underlying traditionalist doctrine creates an uncertain picture for Syria’s future, leaving observers on high alert about the potential implications of HTS’s newfound power amid an evolving political landscape.
