Part 2/8:

Rebel leaders, notably Ahmed Al Shar—previously known as one of the jihadist figures Abu Muhammad Al Jalani—are striving to cultivate a more moderate public image. Al Shar’s shift in identity is coupled with a broader mission: to gain legitimacy while asserting control over Syria. The hope remains that the power vacuum left by Assad's departure will allow for reconciliation and the establishment of a governance framework that reflects the wants and needs of the Syrian populace.