Syrian rebel chief says working with international groups to secure chemical sites

Syrian rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, told Reuters Wednesday that the jihadist group he leads, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is working with international organizations to secure possible sites where chemical weapons may be located.

HTS, which is rooted in al-Qaeda’s Syria branch but has in recent years sought to moderate its image, had already said that it will not use those weapons under any circumstances.

Shaara said in a written statement shared exclusively with Reuters by his office that the group is now working to “dissolve the security forces of the previous regime and close the notorious prison,” where the government of toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad is estimated to have held tens of thousands of detainees. He reiterated that he will form a government of technocrats. The current transitional government is set to rule until March 2025, according to a statement by his group.   (Read More)