From Al-Qaeda Militant to Syrian President: The Unlikely Rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa

Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Golani, has experienced a stunning transformation, rising from a militant in Al-Qaeda to the president of Syria. This dramatic political ascent culminated on May 13 with a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, a remarkable event considering Sharaa’s past involvement in extremist groups.

Sharaa’s journey began around the time of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, when he joined Al-Qaeda in Iraq. He spent several years in a U.S. prison there before returning to Syria to join the insurgency against Bashar al-Assad. Following Trump’s announcement of an end to U.S. sanctions on Syria, the meeting in Saudi Arabia signifies a major shift in U.S. policy and a significant boost for Sharaa as he seeks to consolidate his control over a fractured country and revitalize its economy.

Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One after the meeting, expressed optimism about Sharaa’s potential. "He’s got the potential – he’s a real leader," Trump said, describing Sharaa as a "young, attractive guy with a very strong past." Trump also stated that he was looking to normalize ties with Damascus and believed Sharaa had "a real shot at holding it together."

Sharaa’s path to power began in 2024 when his Islamist fighters launched an offensive from their enclave in the northwest, ultimately toppling Assad. Russia and Iran, Assad’s allies, were reportedly distracted by other conflicts at the time, creating an opportunity for Sharaa’s forces.

For years, Sharaa was better known as Abu Mohammad al-Golani, the commander of the Nusra Front, an insurgent group that fought against Assad and served as Al-Qaeda’s official wing in the Syrian conflict. However, in 2016, he severed ties with Al-Qaeda, gradually rebranding his group as part of the broader Syrian revolution rather than a global jihadist movement.

After entering Damascus as Syria’s de facto ruler in December 2024, Sharaa traded combat fatigues for suits and ties. He pledged to replace Assad’s "brutal police state" with an "inclusive and just order," citing priorities such as reuniting Syria, reviving its sanctions-choked economy, and bringing all arms under state authority. His administration received significant support from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Despite these efforts, Sharaa has faced numerous challenges. Armed groups have refused to relinquish their weapons, sanctions have remained in place, and sectarian killings have instilled fear among minority groups about his rule.

Israel has been particularly wary of Sharaa, alleging that he remains a jihadist. The Israeli government has declared southern Syria off-limits to his forces and claimed responsibility for a strike near the presidential palace in Damascus on May 2, warning that it would not allow Syrian forces to deploy south of the capital or threaten Syria’s Druze minority.

In March, Assad loyalists attacked government forces in the coastal region, triggering a wave of revenge killings in which Islamist gunmen murdered hundreds of civilians from the Alawite minority, the same group to which Assad belonged. This incident amplified concerns about the jihadist roots of Syria’s new ruling group, despite Sharaa’s promises of tolerance and accountability for the killings.

Fears of a return to authoritarian rule were further solidified by a temporary constitution that concentrated power in Sharaa’s hands. While he characterized Assad’s defeat as a "God-given victory," he has been evasive when questioned about the potential implementation of Islamic Sharia law in Syria, stating that it is a matter for experts to decide, even as the temporary constitution strengthened its role.

Sharaa has justified his designation as interim president by citing "revolutionary legitimacy." He has promised that elections will take place, but has also said that Syria needs up to five years to properly organize them.

In a Reuters interview at the presidential palace, Sharaa emphasized his intention to distance himself from Assad’s legacy. "My chest tightens in this palace," he said. "I’m astonished by how much evil against society emanated from every corner."

Born in Saudi Arabia, Sharaa spent his early years there before moving to Syria. His father was an Arab nationalist, a political ideology that contrasts with Sharaa’s embrace of political Islam.

In a 2021 interview with PBS Frontline, Sharaa said that he was influenced by the second Palestinian Intifada, which began in 2000. After returning to Syria from Iraq, he was sent by Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State group in Iraq at the time, to establish Al-Qaeda’s presence in Syria.

In 2013, the U.S. designated Sharaa a terrorist, stating that Al-Qaeda in Iraq had tasked him with overthrowing Assad’s rule and establishing Islamic Sharia law in Syria. The U.S. also said that the Nusra Front had carried out suicide attacks that killed civilians and promoted a violent sectarian vision.

Sharaa gave his first media interview in 2013, concealing his face with a scarf. He told Al Jazeera that Syria should be governed according to Sharia law. However, in his 2021 FRONTLINE interview, he appeared on camera wearing a shirt and jacket. He claimed that the terrorist designation was unfair and that he opposed the killing of innocent people.

When asked about his views on the September 11 attacks at the time they happened, Sharaa said, "Anybody in the Arab or Islamic world who said he wasn’t happy would be lying to you, because people felt the injustice of the Americans in their support of the Zionists, their policies towards Muslims in general, and their clear and strong support of the tyrants in the region. But people regret the killing of innocent people, for sure."

He also asserted that the Nusra Front had never posed a threat to the West. Despite its ties to Al-Qaeda, Nusra was generally considered less heavy-handed in its dealings with civilians and other rebel groups compared to the Islamic State.