Former Al-Qaeda Chief Ahmad Al-Sharaa To Address UNGA As Syrian President 24 Years After 9/11

Last Updated:September 23, 2025, 07:48 IST

Ahmad Al-Sharaa visit to the United Nations signifies a historic return of a Syrian president to the General Assembly after nearly sixty years.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa (Image: AP)

Syrian President Ahmad Hussein al-Sharaa, also known by his former nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has arrived in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, marking the first visit of a Syrian president to this gathering in almost six decades.

Ahmad Hussein al-Sharaa, also referred to as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, is currently the president of Syria and a figure whose ascension to power has garnered global attention.

Born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 1982 to a Syrian Sunni family, al-Sharaa spent his formative years in Damascus. His journey to the presidency is remarkable: from fighting in the Iraqi insurgency as part of al-Qaeda in Iraq, spending five years in US custody, and later founding the al-Nusra Front in Syria, to leading the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) coalition that overthrew Bashar al-Assad in late

His visit to the United Nations signifies a historic return of a Syrian president to the General Assembly after nearly sixty years.

The US engagement with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has drawn significant criticism due to his past as a militant leader. Al-Sharaa, who previously led Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an organisation once associated with al-Qaeda, was once subject to a $10 million US bounty.

His recent removal from the US terrorist designation list and subsequent diplomatic recognition have raised concerns among experts and policymakers, who argue that strategic interests may be overshadowing America’s commitment to counterterrorism. Critics warn that engaging with a former extremist could send a concerning message to other groups with similar ideologies.

Before his political rise, al-Sharaa was involved with al-Qaeda in Iraq, part of the global jihadist network responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. While al-Sharaa was not directly involved in planning or executing 9/11, his leadership of al-Qaeda-affiliated groups in Iraq and later Syria connected him to the same extremist ideology and operational networks.

Following his capture in 2006 and release in 2011, he founded the al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, to oppose the Assad regime. In 2016, he distanced the group from al-Qaeda and rebranded it as a more nationalist entity. Despite these efforts to shift away from transnational jihadism, his past affiliations continue to influence international perceptions of his government.

In a significant policy shift, the US delisted HTS and al-Sharaa from its terrorist designation list in July

This move was part of a broader strategy to engage with Syria’s new leadership and support its stabilisation efforts. President Donald Trump met with al-Sharaa in May 2025, indicating a thaw in relations. Subsequently, the US lifted many sanctions imposed during Assad’s rule, aiming to facilitate Syria’s reconstruction and encourage regional stability.

About the Author

Mahima Joshi

Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a…Read More

Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a… Read More

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