How the West Has Decided to Overlook Abu Mohammad al-Jolani’s Terrorist Past

In recent years, the narrative surrounding Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once viewed as a hardened jihadist and a loyal operative of al-Qaeda, al-Jolani is now being portrayed in some Western circles as a pragmatic leader and a potential partner in stabilizing northwestern Syria. This shift has raised questions about how the West has chosen to overlook his violent past and ideological roots in favor of short-term geopolitical interests.

Who is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani?

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, whose real name is Ahmad Hussein al-Shara, emerged as a key figure in Syria’s jihadist insurgency during the country’s civil war. Originally a member of al-Qaeda in Iraq (the precursor to ISIS), al-Jolani returned to Syria in 2011 after the civil war began and founded Jabhat al-Nusra, an official affiliate of al-Qaeda. Under his leadership, Jabhat al-Nusra became one of the most powerful factions in the Syrian conflict, notorious for its suicide bombings, kidnappings, and brutal enforcement of sharia law in areas under its control.

Despite his early allegiance to al-Qaeda, al-Jolani attempted to rebrand himself and his organization multiple times. In 2016, Jabhat al-Nusra severed formal ties with al-Qaeda and rebranded as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham. Later, it merged with other factions to form Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), positioning itself as a local Islamist group focused on Syria, rather than a global jihadist movement.

Those who have been tortured by al-Jolani’s henchmen like American journalist, Theo Padnos say that former Al Qaeda terrorists will say anything in order to gain legitimacy, today, to consolidate their hold over the Syria. He doesn’t believe the claims of change even as the Western press laps it up.

“I know what they really want,” says Padnos, adding: “which is like every a whole nation in harmony with Islam andthen the people that are not in Harmony are doing what they’re supposed to do according to the Quran which is deep and total submission you know to the law of God so so for instance like you can’t drink that’s why they’re smashing up all the alcohol bottles yeah um um but you know the the law of God is a little bit arbitrary you can make them you can violate it and not know it and then they can kill you for that one of the things that they kill people before is insulting God and like you know what is that well it’s hard to say but you don’t expect that what we saw in the worst Parts in the depths of Islamic State in raqa is going to be recreated through the entire borders of Syria.”

The West’s Hypocrisy

Initially, the United States and its allies classified both Jabhat al-Nusra and HTS as terrorist organizations. Al-Jolani himself was sanctioned by the U.S. State Department, which offered a $10 million bounty for information leading to his capture. However, in recent years, Western governments and media outlets have softened their stance toward al-Jolani and HTS.

This shift can be attributed to several factors:

Geopolitical Realities in Syria:

As the Assad regime consolidated power over much of Syria with the help of Russia and Iran, HTS emerged as the dominant force in Idlib, the last major opposition-held territory. Western policymakers began to see HTS as a lesser evil compared to Assad and extremist groups like ISIS. HTS has also positioned itself as a bulwark against Iranian influence and other jihadist factions, such as Hurras al-Din, which remains loyal to al-Qaeda.

HTS’s Rebranding Efforts:

Al-Jolani has actively sought to distance HTS from its al-Qaeda past. The group has cracked down on rival jihadist factions, engaged in local governance, and portrayed itself as a pragmatic force focused on protecting civilians in Idlib. Al-Jolani has even granted interviews to Western journalists, presenting himself in Western-style clothing and emphasizing his group’s shift away from global jihadism.

Compromise in the Name of Stability

With millions of displaced Syrians living in Idlib under HTS’s rule, the West faces a dilemma. Directly confronting HTS risks further destabilizing the region and creating a humanitarian catastrophe. As a result, some policymakers have quietly accepted HTS’s role as a de facto authority in Idlib, even if it means overlooking its terrorist roots.

The Cost of Forgetting

While the West’s pragmatic engagement with al-Jolani and HTS may serve immediate geopolitical interests, it comes with significant risks.

Legitimizing a Former Terrorist Leader:

Al-Jolani’s rebranding efforts cannot erase his past connections to al-Qaeda or the atrocities committed under his leadership. By engaging with him, the West risks legitimizing a figure whose actions have contributed to the suffering of countless Syrians.

Undermining Counterterrorism Principles:

Western governments have long emphasized that there should be no compromise with terrorism. By tacitly cooperating with al-Jolani, they risk sending a message that violent extremism can be forgiven if it aligns with geopolitical interests.

Potential for Future Extremism:

Although HTS has distanced itself from al-Qaeda, it remains an Islamist group with a history of violence and authoritarianism. There is no guarantee that its current pragmatism will last, especially if the group faces new challenges to its authority.

The West’s decision to overlook Abu Mohammad al-Jolani’s terrorist past reflects the complexities of the Syrian conflict and the broader challenges of counterterrorism in the Middle East. While engaging with HTS may seem like a pragmatic choice, it risks compromising long-held principles and enabling a leader whose past actions are deeply at odds with the values of justice and accountability.

As the situation in Syria continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether al-Jolani’s transformation is genuine or merely a tactical maneuver. What is clear, however, is that the West’s willingness to forget his past is a gamble with far-reaching consequences.