Interview with Syria’s Interim President

This week, Syria’s interim president, who is also a former Al-Qaeda leader and US detainee, sat down for an interview with David Petraeus, the former CIA director. Petraeus had commanded the US troops that captured him, creating a rather interesting context for their conversation. He interviewed Ahmed Al-Sharara at the Concordia Annual Summit on Monday, emphasizing their shared history. Al-Sharara, previously known as Abu Mohamad Al-Jolani, was detained from 2006 to 2011 under Petraeus’s command.

Following his release, Al-Sharara led a group that aimed to oust former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, heading the extremist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) by December 2024.

During the interview, Al-Sharara remarked on their past battles, saying, “At one time, we were in battle, but now we move on to discourse.” He also noted his shift from a militant to a leader focused on governance.

Petraeus had kind words for Al-Sharara, calling his transition from rebel leader to head of state one of the most significant political changes in recent Middle Eastern history. He claimed to be among Al-Sharara’s many supporters.

In the discussion, Al-Sharara admitted he had made “mistakes” as a leader of Syria’s al-Qaeda faction but maintained his commitment to stabilizing the country. He criticized the al-Assad regime for creating turmoil, adding that “all political parties have made mistakes, including parts of the government.”

Despite efforts to reshape his image, Al-Sharara faces the ongoing challenge of sectarian violence in Syria. Government forces continue their attacks on Alawite and Druze minorities. He has vowed to pursue investigations into recent massacres and hold those responsible accountable.