Searching for Syria’s Mysterious Leader and Uncovering his Dark Past

In December 2024, a lightning rebel advance sweeps into Syria’s capital Damascus, toppling the brutal Assad regime and ending half a century of dictatorship. At the centre of it all - Ahmed al-Sharaa. Once a designated terrorist with a 10-million-dollar bounty on his head – now the man steering Syria’s uncertain future. Nearly a year on and he’s formed an interim government, shaken hands with President Donald Trump and seen the majority of crippling sanctions lifted.

But beneath the headlines, the country is restless.

A crippled economy and violent clashes between government forces and religious minorities threaten to unravel fragile gains.

Oliver Marsden, The Times correspondent, has travelled to Syria to discover who Ahmed al-Sharaa really is.

Producer and Correspondent: Oliver Marsden

Producer and Lead Filmmaker: Kasia Sobocinska

Additional Camera and Sound: Malek Hosni

Field Producer: Hani Alagbar

Editor: Karolina Paczkowska-Martin

Translation: Rana AlGhafani

Graphics: Darren Burchett & Paco Anselmi

Additional Research: Storyful

Executive Producers: Alastair Good & Alex Rothwell

00:00 Intro
00:58 al-Sharaa's Upbringing
04:45 Fighting America in Iraq
08:06 Syria's Revolution
10:57 al-Sharaa Becomes President
12:16 Victims of al-Sharaa's Forces
14:38 Syria's Future

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