U.S. places $10 million bounty on Syrian militant leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has a $10 million bounty on his head from the U.S. He controls significant territory in northwest Syria, including Idlib province, and oversees millions of displaced civilians. Al-Jolani transitioned from an al-Qaeda operative to HTS leader, focusing on removing the Assad regime. He has distanced HTS from global jihad, presenting the group as more moderate, despite ongoing reports of human rights violations. Under his leadership, HTS has established a technocratic governance system. However, the group maintains strict control and has been accused of using violence against dissenters, raising concerns about its treatment of political opposition and prisoners.