Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and appointed president of Syria's transitional government, said his group received no external support while toppling the Assad regime.
In an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera television, Jolani also claimed that throughout the process they prioritized both war and reconstruction and the economy, and that they did not receive foreign aid.
I benefited from all experiences and began to organize efforts to topple the regime.
Jolani argued that the overthrow of the old regime was a necessity for the entire region, stating that Syria is a key country of the region.
He claimed that while focusing on the war, they were also carrying out preparations for the reconstruction process.
Addressing ideological questions, Jolani claimed that there are common points between Arab nationalism and Islamic discourse, and that religious understanding and historical experiences should be kept separate.
We separate Islam from Islamic experiences containing different ideas and ijtihad.
Syria's claimed history of diversity, according to Jolani.
Jolani also said his sense of belonging to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights was shaped since childhood within family and society.
He stated that they used media organizations and delegations visiting the region to convey their work to the international public.
