Western media is portraying Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani in a favorable light. Headlines from outlets like *The Times* and *CNN* describe him as a “polite” leader and a “blazer-wearing revolutionary,” while others refer to him as a “moderate jihadist” or “diversity-friendly” in contrast to earlier depictions. In 2013, *CNN* labeled him one of “the world’s 10 most dangerous terrorists” responsible for atrocities against minorities.
Critics argue this rebranding, aimed at legitimizing regime change in Syria, ignores HTS’s continued ties to radical Islamist groups, such as Ansar Al-Tawhid and Ahrar al-Sham. Alan McLeod has called out this shift as a dangerous and misleading narrative, framing Jolani as Syria’s “woke” leader.
Despite such portrayals, HTS has shown its extremist ambitions, with fighters posting videos pledging to conquer holy sites like the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Mecca. Jolani, often compared to Bashar al-Assad for his political opportunism, faces criticism for brutality, imprisoning dissenters, and imposing heavy taxes in Idlib, sparking public protests. More here…
