Muhammad al-Dzholani, leader of the Islamist HTS militia, emerges as a significant figure following the Islamist victory in Syria against President Bashar al-Assad. Formerly a member of Al-Qaeda, al-Dzholani has attempted to reshape his image from a radical Islamist to a pragmatic leader, distancing himself from terrorist activities. Despite his efforts to present a more moderate front, skepticism remains regarding his genuine intentions and the future of his rule in Syria, especially given the history of violence associated with his group.