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Draft:Abu Mohammad al-Julani

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Abu Mohammad al-Julani
nameAbu Mohammad al-Julani
Personal details
religionIslam

Abu Mohammad al-Julani is the founder of al-Nusra Front. His nom de guerre, al-Julani, refers to the Golan Heights, a region occupied by the Israel. This has sparked speculation regarding his connections with Israel. Some sources claim that prior to the Syrian war, he was present in Iraq and participated in combat against American forces. Al-Julani is a complex and multifaceted figure who operates simultaneously as a military commander, a religious leader, and a politician.


Biography

Abu Mohammad al-Julani was born in 1982 in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. His father served as an economic advisor to the Assad family; consequently, al-Julani and his family moved to Damascus during his childhood. He lived there in comfort within an affluent neighborhood. The al-Julani family was secular. In his youth, he fell in love with an Alawite girl in Syria. His marriage to this girl faced fierce opposition from his family, leaving a negative impression on al-Julani's psyche. Occurring during the formative years of his personality, this incident profoundly affected him, causing him to focus significantly on sectarian divisions. Following the September 11 attacks, he joined al-Qaeda. For several years, he was a devoted follower of Osama bin Laden, but later became aligned with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. With the onset of the Iraq War, he traveled to Mosul. There, he joined "Saraya al-Mujahideen," a small, active extremist group in Iraq's Nineveh Governorate. He was imprisoned in 2004. While incarcerated, he acquainted himself with senior figures of takfiri groups, and following his release, he played a prominent role in the formation of the Salafi-takfiri movement.


Activities

Pivotal Role in the Syrian War: Al-Julani has been one of the most significant actors in the Syrian Civil War, with his decisions directly influencing the course of the conflict.

Ambiguous and Controversial Identity: Al-Julani's obscure identity and controversial role have made him one of the most intriguing yet debated figures in the Syrian war.

Leadership of a Powerful Group: Under al-Julani's leadership, Tahrir al-Sham has become one of the most powerful rebel groups in Syria.

Founding of al-Nusra Front

In 2011, al-Julani played a key role in planning the establishment of a branch of ISIS in Syria. He oversaw the formation of a group named al-Nusra Front. This group operated as the Syrian branch of ISIS under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who supported al-Julani by providing fighters, weapons, and funding. In January 2012, al-Julani was appointed as the emir of al-Nusra Front. Around the same time, the U.S. Department of State designated al-Nusra Front as a terrorist organization, identifying it as a new alias for al-Qaeda in Iraq, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq or ISIS. In 2012, he founded al-Nusra Front. The group evolved into one of the most powerful rebel and takfiri factions in Syria and was recognized as the official branch of al-Qaeda in the country. Through extensive military operations against Syrian government forces, al-Nusra Front brought vast territories under its control. In 2016, al-Nusra Front officially severed ties with al-Qaeda and changed its name to "Tahrir al-Sham." This split aimed to reduce international pressure and garner greater support from certain Salafi and fundamentalist groups. Under al-Julani's leadership, Tahrir al-Sham transformed into a complex and powerful organization that, in addition to military operations, engaged in political, security, and economic activities. By establishing a parallel governance structure, the group sought to replace the Syrian state in areas under rebel control.

Betrayal of ISIS and Loyalty to al-Qaeda

In April 2013, al-Baghdadi decided to dissolve al-Nusra Front and reduce its status to a subordinate faction within the ISIS caliphate. This move would have placed all leaders and decision-making processes of al-Nusra Front under the control of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Al-Julani opposed this, pledging allegiance to Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda. Al-Zawahiri subsequently endorsed al-Julani's request to maintain his group as an independent entity.

Leadership of Tahrir al-Sham

Abu Mohammad al-Julani is recognized as the public face and official leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham; however, the group's structure is complex, comprising several leadership councils and military commanders. These councils play a role in major strategic decisions. In addition to him, other key individuals hold positions within the Tahrir al-Sham leadership cadre in various capacities, including:

  • Sharia Council: This council is responsible for interpreting Islamic laws and issuing fatwas.
  • Military Council: This council is responsible for planning and executing military operations.
  • Senior Military Commanders: These commanders operate in various regions under Tahrir al-Sham's control and are responsible for military operations in those areas.

Attack on Syria

Following the entry of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham delegation led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the attack on Syria commenced on November 29, 2024, targeting the city of Aleppo, which was under the control of the Syrian Arab Army. This battle began on the third day of the rebels' widespread offensive.


Ideology and Perspective

  • Salafi-Jihadist Ideology: Al-Julani and Tahrir al-Sham adhere to a Salafi-jihadist ideology. This ideology emphasizes a literalist and strict interpretation of Islam and aims to establish an Islamic government worldwide.
  • Emphasis on Jihad Against Enemies of Islam: Al-Julani and Tahrir al-Sham consider jihad against the enemies of Islam, including Western governments and secular Arab regimes, obligatory.
  • Efforts to Establish an Islamic State: Under al-Julani's leadership, Tahrir al-Sham has attempted to establish an Islamic state based on Islamic Sharia law in the territories under its control.
  • Shifts in Stance: Over the years of his activities, al-Julani has occasionally altered his positions and approaches. These changes may be attributed to field developments, international pressures, or internal group dynamics.
  • Complex Personality: Al-Julani possesses a complex and multifaceted personality. He simultaneously operates as a military commander, a religious leader, and a politician, and is regarded as a charismatic leader by his supporters.


Return to Aleppo

On November 29, 2024 (corresponding to 9 Azar 1403 SH), forces of Tahrir al-Sham, equipped with new assets such as suicide drones and wearing uniforms different from before, attacked Aleppo and managed to reoccupy large parts of the city. This attack occurred a few days after the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, reinforcing suspicions of Israeli support for Tahrir al-Sham. Al-Julani's forces had been expelled from Aleppo eight years earlier, in Azar, by the Syrian Army, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Russian Air Force, Hezbollah forces, and other members of the Resistance Axis, retreating to Idlib. However, hours after Tahrir al-Sham forces entered Aleppo, al-Julani arrived in the city by vehicle on the evening of 9 Azar to direct the war from close proximity[1].


Reaction to Rumors of Death

  1. The Palestinian news agency SAMA, citing Israeli media, reported that the death of Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of the Tahrir al-Sham group (al-Nusra Front), in attacks by Russian fighter jets has been confirmed.
  2. According to Asr Iran; previously, some media outlets within the Axis of Resistance, including Iraq's Al-Ahd TV, had reported news of attacks by Russian and Syrian fighter jets on the location where "Abu Mohammad al-Julani," the commander of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, was stationed.
  3. Some media outlets also made unconfirmed claims that senior intelligence officers from Turkey and Ukraine were present at the bombardment site alongside al-Julani.
  4. On the other hand, specific news sources told the Russian Sputnik news agency that the central command headquarters of the al-Nusra Front in Idlib, where Abu Mohammad al-Julani was believed to be located, had been bombed.
    Statement by Tahrir al-Sham
  5. The news channel added that what is referred to as the security office of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham has established a tight security cordon around the destroyed headquarters, preventing entry by group members and civilians.
  6. Iraq's Al-Nujaba network, citing a high-ranking security official in Damascus who remained unnamed, added: Moments ago, the killing of Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of the Ahrar al-Sham faction, in joint attacks by Syria and Russia has been confirmed.
  7. To date, the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham group has not reacted to the published reports regarding the death of its leader[2].
  8. The official media outlet of Tahrir al-Sham announced: The Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of the al-Nusra Front and Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, was killed last night by a squadron of Russian Aerospace Forces' Su-34 aircraft using bunker-buster bombs.

It was eventually revealed that all reports of his death were merely rumors.


Speech at the Umayyad Mosque

After seizing power in Syria, al-Julani went to the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and delivered a speech.


See Also


Footnotes

  1. ↑ Who is Abu Mohammad al-Julani, who managed to occupy Aleppo? The terrorist for whom the US offers a $10 million bounty!, Asr Iran News Agency.
  2. ↑ Hebrew Media: Death of Julani, Leader of Tahrir al-Sham Confirmed, Asr Iran News Agency.


References

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