TOPSHOT - The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, address a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, gave a speech as the crowd chanted "Allahu akbar (God is greatest)," a video shared by the rebels on their Telegram channel showed. (Photo by Aref TAMMAWI / AFP) (Photo by AREF TAMMAWI/AFP via Getty Images)
Video Ad Feedback
What we know about the rebels that toppled the Assad regime
Inside Politics

CNN's Manu Raju is joined by National Security Analyst Beth Sanner to discuss what we know about the rebels and their leader who helped topple the Assad regime.

1:16 • Source: CNN
World News 13 videos
TOPSHOT - The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, address a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, gave a speech as the crowd chanted "Allahu akbar (God is greatest)," a video shared by the rebels on their Telegram channel showed. (Photo by Aref TAMMAWI / AFP) (Photo by AREF TAMMAWI/AFP via Getty Images)
Video Ad Feedback
What we know about the rebels that toppled the Assad regime
1:16
Now playing
• Source: CNN
115770_TrumpLandStrikesVenezuela_clean.00_00_30_08.Still001.jpg
Trump hints at possible land action in Venezuela
0:39
Now playing
• Source: CNN
<p>Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado told CNN that the Venezuelan regime would have "done everything" to stop her coming to Oslo if they were aware of her whereabouts.</p>
Video Ad Feedback
Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado says Venezuelan regime would 'have done everything' to stop trip to Oslo
2:08
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Italian cuisine becomes world’s first to be awarded UNESCO status
Video Ad Feedback
Italian cuisine becomes world’s first to be awarded UNESCO status
0:41
Now playing
• Source: CNN
This screengrab taken from a video posted by Attorney General Pam Bondi on December 10, 2025, shows US forces seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.
Video Ad Feedback
Video shows US seizing tanker off Venezuela's coast
1:39
Now playing
• Source: CNN
okinawa arrest 16x9.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
American tackled by US military servicemen in Japan
1:46
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Screenshot 2025-12-09 at 2.31.33 PM.png
Video Ad Feedback
'The older the better': Child psychiatrist weighs in on new Australia law banning social media access for children under 16
3:44
Now playing
• Source: CNN
iceland-lupine-flowers-instagram-creators-digvid.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Iceland’s big problem with Instagrammable flowers
1:31
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Swiss Sleep Hotel STILL 3 .jpg
Video Ad Feedback
How this luxury Swiss hotel could help you get a better night’s sleep, for just $10K
3:52
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Screenshot 2025-12-09 at 9.16.43 AM.png
Video Ad Feedback
Kayak reveals top trending destinations for 2026
2:20
Now playing
• Source: CNN
A 7-year-old teenage boy looks at a phone screen in Sydney, Australia, on December 7, 2025.
Video Ad Feedback
Teens fight Australia’s social media ban in court
3:06
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumbnail nigeria schoolchildren released 1.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
One hundred abducted schoolchildren released in Nigeria
0:41
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Screenshot 2025-12-08 at 15.01.05.png
Video Ad Feedback
Powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes near Japan
1:49
Now playing
• Source: CNN