Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, leader of HTS in Syria?
Al Jazeera
With Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s dramatic capture of Aleppo, al-Golani has upended many expectations about the war in Syria.
In just three days, opposition fighters captured Syria’s second-largest city, Aleppo, after the stunning collapse of government forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.
Leading the offensive was Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who stands at the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that has become the most powerful armed opposition force in Syria.
Perhaps in an attempt to shake his growing reputation, a photo circulated online on Monday, purporting that al-Golani had been killed in a Russian strike, news that was quickly debunked as the photo was found to be doctored.
He is now front and centre as his forces look to consolidate control over Aleppo and capture more territory in Syria.
Here’s a closer look at al-Golani:
