After the recent fall of Aleppo, rumors started circulating that the leader of Syrian Al-Qaeda, now known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammad al-Julani, was killed in a Russian airstrike in Idlib. These rumors spread through Lebanese and Israeli media without verification.
However, on Wednesday, these rumors were dispelled as Julani made a surprise appearance in historic Aleppo. Al Jazeera aired footage of him descending the steps of the Aleppo citadel in what seemed to be a ‘victory’ celebration.
The FBI and US Rewards for Justice program have a $10 million bounty on Julani’s head. Despite his background with Al-Qaeda, he is now asserting control over Aleppo and threatening the city of Hama. Syrian insurgents have captured new towns, bringing them closer to Hama, while Syrian Army reinforcements are heading north.
HTS, previously known as the Nusra Front, has attempted a rebranding campaign over the years. Despite being designated a terrorist organization by the US, they continue to hold territory in Idlib province.
The US government has expressed concerns about HTS but will not intervene in the Syrian government’s offensive. Mainstream media outlets have been accused of whitewashing Syria’s Al-Qaeda factions.
Julani, despite being on the FBI’s most wanted list, appeared openly in Aleppo, raising questions about why the CIA or US military did not take action against him.
The article mentions the ongoing civil war in Syria and the complex dynamics between various factions in the region. It also highlights the conflicting interests of different countries involved in the conflict.