The latest news and top stories on Ahmad al-Sharaa. Born in Riyadh, he is a Syrian politician and former rebel commander who became President of Syria in January 2025, following his leadership of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. Previously known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, he led HTS, which evolved from an al-Qaeda affiliate, and has worked to rebrand the group towards local governance. His responsibilities include forming a transitional government, dissolving former state institutions, and seeking to lift international sanctions. He recently accused Israel of instigating conflict, later acknowledging mediation efforts.