Syria Held Down With Old Government Under New Name of al-Sharaa

 Nadene Goldfoot

Omran Alhalabi                                              

Israel will find that Syria hasn't changed for its population since Assad was driven out.  The shift to Ahmed al-Sharaa from Jolani coincided with his group's rise to power and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.  This change is part of a broader effort to present a more pragmatic image and gain international legitimacy. 

             Omran Alhalabi of Damascus is not accepting al-Sharaa's acceptance of Sharia Law, nor are a lot of other Syrians.  Omran was an engineer in and around Damascus working on building projects when the change took over.  He notices that education in the schools is leading to Sharaa's thinking and goal in life.  They are being taught the Shi'a ways.  Omran found out that the parents of the children were wasted from the Civil War and have no strength to fight against Sharia law today.  They are poor, many are hungry and need help to learn what is possible with education today.   Today's faults and bombing have become their norm.                                                          Al-Sharaa doesn't want to be remembered as a terrorist, 

which he was, but his constiuents remember very well as they do not 

see much of a change in their lives.                                

   Ramadan praying:  Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a holy period of fasting, prayer, and reflection where Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset. In 2026, it is expected to begin around February 17 or 18. The fast strengthens self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual connection with God. The problem so often is that the people are told to pray for what their leaders want; the extinction of Israel instead of good things.  

The power of his religion: Abu Mohammad al-Jolani is a Sunni Muslim militant leader who founded and leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra), a group that adheres to a strict, hard-line Islamist ideology which is more like the Muslim Brotherhood and/or the Shi'a religion of Iran. 

The one surprising outcome of HTS was in Regional Politics: While opposing the Assad regime, HTS has shown pragmatism, including maintaining a 1974 agreement with Israel regarding the Golan Heights and engaging in negotiations with other Syrian opposition groups.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, evolved from an al-Qaeda affiliate into a locally focused Sunni Islamist group, advocating for the overthrow of the Assad regime and the establishment of Islamic rule in Syria. Under Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, HTS has prioritized territorial control, specifically in Idlib, through a nationalist agenda, distinguishing itself from international jihadi.  This meant that he expected all of Syria to accept Islamic decisions and rule like Iran has become.  

Syria's population is predominantly Muslim (roughly 90%), with about 74% being Sunni and 16% belonging to other Muslim groups like Alawites, Druze, and Shi'a. Christians make up around 10% of the population. The population, deeply affected by the civil war, was historically estimated at over 20 million, but recent figures often refer to the displaced population, with over 12 million displaced.  

As of early 2026, the population of the Syrian Arab Republic is estimated to be between 26.2 million and 26.5 million, according to Worldometer and World Population Review. Following a significant decline during the civil war, the population has rebounded. Approximately 53–54% of the population is urban, with the largest cities being Aleppo and Damascus.

Today the population of Syria is 26,472,497.

In 1980 the population of Syria was 8,957,663.  

Founded in 1928 in Egypt by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood is the world's oldest and most influential Islamist movement, advocating for a, bottom-up, gradual Islamization of society and government based on Sharia law. It operates as a global network, with branches across the Middle East and the West, focused on religious, social, and political reform, often under the motto "Islam is the solution."

Both groups are advocating for a complete take-over of the whole world by Shi'a Islam.

 While formerly affiliated with Al-Qaeda, he has rebranded his image to appear more moderate to the international community while maintaining an Islamist base. 

Syria, historically under Bashar al-Assad, was a core member of the Iran-led "Axis of Resistance" against Israel, working closely with Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah. Russia also provided military support to the Assad regime. Following a potential post-Assad transition, the country's alliances are shifting, with new regional power dynamics emerging. 

• Iran: The primary ally, using Syria as a conduit for weapons transfers to Hezbollah and establishing a military presence on Israel's border.  All the more reason why backing the new Revolutionaries of Iran would be the best act of the USA and allow the Crown Prince to return and lead them until he holds elections, which he plans on doing.  
• Hezbollah: The Lebanese militant group has been a key partner in fighting to support the Syrian regime while maintaining anti-Israel operations.
• Russia: Provided significant military intervention for the Assad government since 2015, which created a tense, complex security environment for Israel in the region.
• Non-State Actors: Various pro-Iranian militias in Syria, including groups like PFLP-GC, have supported the alliance against Israel. 

As of late 2024–2025, with Assad's regime facing instability, the "Axis of Resistance" has weakened, with new, evolving power struggles involving Turkey and changing stances on Iran's presence in Syria.  Turkey needs watching.  

• Resource:
•   BBC+2.  
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