How Did Ahmad al-Shara Rise to Power? Former U.S. Diplomat Reveals Striking Details
Former U.S. Ambassador to Damascus, Robert Ford, has shed light on the ascent of Ahmad al-Shara to the political spotlight, revealing a behind-the-scenes Western role—particularly American—that indirectly facilitated his path to power. The disclosure offers potential answers to the lingering question: How did Ahmad al-Shara come to power?
The American Role
Ford confirmed that the United States played an indirect role, beginning with a series of meetings in 2023 when al-Shara was still leading Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham under the alias “Abu Mohammad al-Jolani,” up until his eventual rise to the presidency of Syria.
He noted that a UK-based non-governmental organization, specializing in conflict resolution, invited a European team—of which Ford was a member—to guide al-Shara into the political arena, rather than allowing him to remain within the framework of armed groups. These efforts, according to Ford, were part of a broader Western strategy for political rehabilitation.
“The first time I heard of him was during my time in Iraq between 2000 and 2003, where he was a prominent figure in al-Qaeda’s operations in northern Iraq,” Ford said. “In 2023, I received an invitation from a British NGO to help extract him from the world of terrorism and prepare him for a political role.”
Meetings with Ahmad al-Shara
According to Ford, his first meeting with al-Shara took place in March 2023 and was followed by a second in September. Their third and final encounter occurred in January of this year—inside the presidential palace in Damascus—after al-Shara had assumed power.
Ford noted that the three meetings were not, by themselves, sufficient to politically legitimize al-Shara. Rather, they marked the culmination of a longer process that began in 2016, when al-Shara formally cut ties with al-Qaeda and began presenting a more moderate image within the context of the Syrian opposition movement.
Ford’s Remarks Deemed Credible
In a comment to Sky News Arabia, Ali Jamalo, Director General of the Independent Media Group, said that Ford’s statements seem highly credible in explaining al-Shara’s path to power. He suggested that contacts with al-Shara may have begun as early as 2020, prior to Ford’s visit to Idlib for an in-person meeting.
Jamalo also pointed out that Ford, through his remarks, offered a narrative that ultimately supports al-Shara’s position. He noted that before his arrival in Damascus, al-Shara gave an exclusive interview to CNN, during which he reflected on the evolution of his personal and political journey—an account that Ford’s statements appeared to reinforce.
Related topics:
.jpg){kind=link}