Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, is steering Syria’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) through tension between hardline jihadist factions and a liberal populace. His recent actions, aimed at gaining international legitimacy and governing stability, have sparked debate regarding HTS’s future direction. While some locals support a moderate approach, hardliners push for a strict Islamist rule, posing challenges to al-Sharaa’s leadership as he attempts to maintain control in a diverse and fractured region.

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