Political Situation in Syria

The jihadist terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) announced their leader Ahmed al-Sharaa as the president of Syria after the dissolution of the official Syrian armed forces and the Arab Socialist Baath Party. This follows Assad and his family fleeing to Russia after over a decade of civil war. HTS is an offshoot of al-Qaeda and Sharaa was previously known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. The UN estimates over 6 million Syrians have fled the civil war and 7 million are displaced within Syria. The new government led by Sharaa aims to be Islamist in nature.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's New Leader

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's new leader, is trying to present a more moderate image to the West and is pushing for the lifting of sanctions against Syria. He has vowed to usher in an era of change driven by inclusivity and has promised to form a Syrian committee to write a new constitution. However, there are doubts about his sincerity and ability to follow through on his promises.