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Following the capture of Aleppo and Hama, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, spoke to CNN, declaring that the Assad regime is finished.
He outlined plans to establish a government based on a popular council, stressing the need for foreign forces to leave Syria and for the country to adopt a more institutionalized system of governance.
Key Points:
This regime is dead; the Syrian people want a new system
Ahmed al-Sharaa (Jolani)
Giving his first interview since the capture of Aleppo and Hama, Jolani declared the Assad regime"dead" and stressed the need for Syria to have a government based on popular councils rather than the current regime.
Jolani emphasized that foreign forces should leave Syria.
Once this regime falls, there will be no need for foreign powers to stay.
Ahmed al-Sharaa
Under Jolani's leadership, HTS appears to be moving toward a more moderate approach, distancing itself from its past extremist actions. In the interview, Jolani reassured religious minorities, including Christians, that they would be safe under his rule, emphasizing that no group has the right to eliminate others. He pointed out that sects have coexisted in the region for centuries.
Jolani also addressed allegations of mistreatment in HTS-run prisons, stating that these actions were not authorized by him and promised to hold the responsible individuals accountable.
He defended HTS against being labeled a terrorist organization, calling the designation “primarily political and incorrect.” Jolani insisted that HTS has distanced itself from the more extreme tactics of other groups, which he opposed, and denied ever personally participating in attacks on civilians.
Jolani believes the Assad regime’s 53-year rule is nearing its end, saying, “The seeds of this regime’s defeat have always been within it.” He acknowledged that support from Iran and Russia temporarily prolonged the regime’s survival but reaffirmed that the regime is "dead."
Jolani outlined his vision for rebuilding Syria, noting that HTS is just one part of a larger effort. He reiterated that the ultimate goal remains to overthrow the regime by any means necessary.
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