Syria’s New Ruler Is a Former al-Qaeda Commander: How the World Let It Happen
In this explosive first episode of Welcome to The Jungle with Aya Burweila https://x.com/burweila, we uncover how Syria fell under the control of an internationally sanctioned terrorist group — and how the international community watched it happen.
Former al-Qaeda commander Abu Mohammad al-Jolani — now going by Ahmad al-Sharaa — leads Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the new de facto rulers of Syria. But how did we get here? From massacres of minorities to international normalization, Aya Burweila breaks it all down for you.
🎥 In this episode:
The Alawite massacres of March 2025
Jolani’s time in U.S. custody
HTS’s new government and constitution
UN and ICC complicity
Aid, lifting sanctions, and international hypocrisy
💬 What do YOU think about the international response to Syria’s new regime? Comment below.
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📚 SOURCES & LINKS:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/12/1158126
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/17/middleeast/syria-massacre-alawite-minority-intl-invs/index.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/25/politics/al-qaeda-al-nusra-isis-threat-experts/index.html
US removes $10 million reward for Hayat Tahrir al Sham leader
https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/05/209499.htm
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d9r0vg6v7o]
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70ely2p6e4o
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https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/03/25/syria-constitutional-declaration-risks-endangering-rights
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q0w1g8zqvo
Syria: Abductions, torture and summary killings at the hands of armed groups
Syria: Coastal massacres of Alawite civilians must be investigated as war crimes
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05p9g2nqmeo
