Searching for Syria’s Most Mysterious Leader

Video Description

In December 2024, a lightning rebel advance sweeps into Syria’s capital Damascus, toppling the brutal Assad regime and ending half a century of dictatorship. At the centre of it all - Ahmed al-Sharaa. Once a designated terrorist with a 10-million-dollar bounty on his head – now the man steering Syria’s uncertain future. Nearly a year on and he’s formed an interim government, shaken hands with President Donald Trump and seen the majority of crippling sanctions lifted. But beneath the headlines, the country is restless. A crippled economy and violent clashes between government forces and religious minorities threaten to unravel fragile gains. Oliver Marsden, The Times correspondent, has travelled to Syria to discover who Ahmed al-Sharaa really is. Producer and Correspondent: Oliver Marsden Producer and Lead Filmmaker: Kasia Sobocinska Additional Camera and Sound: Malek Hosni Field Producer: Hani Alagbar Editor: Karolina Paczkowska-Martin Translation: Rana AlGhafani Graphics: Darren Burchett & Paco Anselmi Additional Research: Storyful Executive Producers: Jon Eastman & Alastair Good 00:00 Intro 00:58 al-Sharaa's Upbringing 04:45 Fighting America in Iraq 08:06 Syria's Revolution 10:57 al-Sharaa Becomes President 12:16 Victims of al-Sharaa's Forces 14:38 Syria's Future Read the best of our journalism: https://www.thetimes.com/ Subscribe to the Times Originals YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=timesoriginals Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timesandsundaytimes/ Find us on X: https://x.com/thetimes Find us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetimes?lang=en Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetimes/ #syria #documentary #military