Ahmed al-Sharaa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ahmed al-Sharaa
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أحمد الشرع
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Al-Sharaa in 2025
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| President of Syria | |
| Assumed office 29 January 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Mohammed al-Bashir |
| Preceded by | Bashar al-Assad |
| Emir of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham | |
| In office 1 October 2017 – 29 January 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Abu Jaber Shaykh |
| Emir of the al-Nusra Front | |
| In office 23 January 2012 – 28 January 2017 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa
29 October 1982 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (2016–2025) |
| Spouse | Latifa al-Sharaa |
| Parent | Hussein al-Sharaa (father) |
| Relatives | Maher al-Sharaa (brother) |
| Signature | |
| Nickname | Abu Mohammad al-Julani |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |
Formerly
 Al-Qaeda (2003–2016)
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| Years of service | 2003–present |
| Rank | Commander-in-chief (HTS) |
| Battles/wars |
See list
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Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa (born 29 October 1982), also known by his nickname Abu Mohammad al-Julani, is a Syrian leader and politician. He is currently serving as the president of Syria since 29 January 2025.
As the head of a group called Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), he played a big part in the events of 2024. These events led to a major change in Syria's government. Since then, al-Sharaa has become a very important leader in Syria.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa was born in 1982 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His family was middle-class. His father worked as an oil engineer, and his mother was a geography teacher.
In 1989, his family moved back to Syria. They settled in a nice neighborhood in Damascus. People who knew al-Sharaa when he was young remember him as a quiet and studious boy. He wore thick glasses and didn't like to draw attention to himself. He was described as intelligent but shy. He studied media studies and started a degree in medicine before moving to Iraq in 2003.
Involvement in Conflicts
Before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, al-Sharaa joined a group and took part in the conflict there for three years. He was captured by American forces and held from 2006 to 2011.
After his release, the Syrian revolution began. In 2012, he helped create a group called the al-Nusra Front. This group joined the Syrian Civil War against the government of Bashar al-Assad.
Role in the Syrian Civil War
As the leader of the al-Nusra Front, al-Sharaa built a strong base in northwestern Idlib Governorate. He disagreed with another group, the Islamic State, and their conflict led to fighting between them.
In 2016, al-Sharaa decided to separate his group from its earlier connections. The next year, he merged it with other groups to form Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). After this change, he started to focus more on governing the areas his group controlled in Syria. He aimed to gain international recognition.
HTS set up an administration in its territory. They collected taxes, offered public services, and gave identity cards to people living there. Al-Sharaa has recently presented a more moderate view of himself. He has said he does not want to fight Western countries. He has also promised to protect minority groups in Syria.
Governance After Assad's Government Fell
On 8 December 2024, the Syrian Prime Minister, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, announced that the government would transfer power. This happened after Bashar al-Assad left Damascus. Al-Sharaa then announced that al-Jalali would oversee government organizations until a new government took over.
On 9 December, a video was released showing al-Sharaa, al-Jalali, and Mohammed al-Bashir. Al-Bashir was the head of the temporary government in Idlib. On 12 December, al-Sharaa met with officials from Turkey. This was the first time he had met with a diplomatic group since Assad's government was overthrown.
On 24 December, al-Sharaa announced that several rebel groups would join together. These groups, including the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, would become part of the interim government's Ministry of Defense. However, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces were not included. This was because of ongoing conflicts in northeastern Syria.
This reorganization was part of al-Sharaa's efforts to create new government bodies. These include law enforcement and security forces. The new administration set up centers for former government soldiers. They also started recruiting for a new police force.
In an interview on 29 December, al-Sharaa said he expected a new constitution of Syria to be written in two or three years. He also said that elections would likely happen after four years.
Presidency (2025–Present)
On 29 January 2025, al-Sharaa was officially named the interim president by the transitional government. As president, al-Sharaa stated that he would create a temporary law-making council. This council would govern until a new constitution was approved. He promised to hold a "national dialogue conference." He also vowed to ensure "civil peace" and protect Syria's borders.
Documentary and Writings
In 2021, a documentary called The Jihadist was released by PBS Frontline. This film looked into al-Sharaa's past and his role in the Syrian civil war.
Al-Sharaa has also written essays and articles. These can be found on online forums under the name "Abdullah Bin Muhammad." One of his writings is titled The Strategy of the Regional War.
See Also
In Spanish: Ahmed al-Charaa para niños
- Abu Jaber Shaykh
- Ali Keda
- Riad al-Asaad
- Saif al-Adel
- Abd al-Rahman al-Maghribi
Images for kids
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Ahmad Al Shaara Signage.svg
Signature of Ahmed al-Sharaa
