Muhammad Al-Jawlani, internationally recognized as Ahmed al-Sharaa, has made headlines once again. The U.S. State Department designated him in 2017 as one of the most menacing jihadists, slapping a hefty $10 million bounty on his head. Flash forward to today, and he was seen mingling at the United Nations General Assembly, a sight that has ignited considerable outrage and discussion.
An image circulating on social media captures Al-Jawlani grinning and engaging with delegates—an ironic juxtaposition to his notorious past as the former head of the Al-Nusrah Front, Syria’s own offshoot of Al-Qaeda.
Al-Jawlani’s path to infamy is rooted in the chaos of the Syrian civil war. By 2013, his actions led the UN Security Council to officially label him a global terrorist due to his key role in orchestrating and financing attacks in concert with Al-Qaeda.
As reported by the U.S. State Department, his tenure as head of Al-Nusrah saw a series of suicide bombings across Syria, inflicting heavy casualties among civilians.
His actions were further tied to the sectarian violence that stood in stark opposition to the dreams of a democratic Syria, as delineated in a 2013 report.
The U.S. State Department elaborated:
Al-Jawlani is acknowledged as the head of Al-Nusrah. In videos, he has articulated his ultimate ambition to overthrow the Syrian regime and to legislate Islamic Sharia law throughout Syria. He was specifically directed by Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) to achieve these aims.
Under his command, the Al-Nusrah Front has conducted numerous suicide bombings across Syria. The majority of these attacks have been focused on Damascus, although impacts have reached other regions as well, resulting in the deaths of countless innocent civilians.
Claimed operations by Al-Nusrah since its designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in December 2012 include a suicide bombing on January 26, 2013, targeting a military base in Quneitra, close to the Golan Heights; a February 15, 2013, announcement claiming responsibility for suicide attacks against regime targets in Damascus and the nearby Al-Shadadi; and twin suicide attacks on March 6, 2013, targeting a bridge and a bunker near Homs.
Yet, Al-Jawlani’s journey took an unexpected turn when he officially distanced himself from Al-Qaeda in 2016. He rebranded his faction as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, ultimately transitioning to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in 2017. This strategic rebranding reflected a desire for legitimacy, which came to a head in December that year when HTS, under Al-Jawlani’s leadership, launched a campaign that ousted Bashar al-Assad from Damascus and consolidated control over substantial territories in Syria.
This ascent has skillfully allowed Al-Jawlani to present himself as a credible political figure on the world stage. His casual presence at the UN, particularly close to the anniversary of September 11—an event intimately linked to Al-Qaeda, his erstwhile affiliate—has been perceived as an affront to the victims of global terrorism.
His appearance in New York during a time commemoration of 9/11 amplifies a sense of betrayal. Al-Jawlani’s metamorphosis reflects not only personal reinvention but also significant geopolitical transitions in the Middle East. His group now portrays itself as a stabilizing alternative to Assad’s regime, although the shadow of his violent past looms ominously.
According to the UN Security Council records, Al-Jawlani’s history includes arms trafficking and recruitment, ensuring his place on international sanctions lists. Yet, his new role at the UN suggests a disconcerting reality: that territorial power can indeed confer political legitimacy.
This situation raises critical questions about the ethical foundations of global institutions. Do entities like the UN serve as platforms for reconciliation—or merely as stages where past wrongdoers are allowed to frame the rules as victors?
The sight of Al-Jawlani laughing in the General Assembly, while many remember his bloody legacy, starkly illustrates how the art of politics can undermine the essence of justice.
About The Author
Joana Campos
Joana Campos is a lawyer and editor with over ten years of experience in managing international development projects focused on sustainability and positive social impact. She previously worked as a corporate attorney and is a graduate of the University of Guadalajara.
