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)
What we know about the rebels that toppled the Assad regime

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 14 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)
What we know about the rebels that toppled the Assad regime
1:16
Now playing
• Source: CNN
117985_Bremmer_Hormuz_THUMB.jpg
Trump claims countries will send warships to Strait of Hormuz
1:50
Now playing
• Source: CNN
lebanon x hezbollah clean thumb.jpg
Lebanese minister discusses government efforts to counter Hezbollah
3:25
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumb_22450999_725018_thumb.jpg
‘It could be fatal’: Ex-State Department negotiator says US ‘misjudged’ Iran’s response to strikes
3:52
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Screenshot 2026-03-14 at 1.55.09 PM.png
Trump says US has 'totally obliterated' military assets on Iran's Kharg Island without striking key oil facilities
5:10
Now playing
• Source: CNN
<p>Video geolocated by CNN shows smoke and small flames rising from a building in the vicinity of the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq. CNN has contacted the State Department for comment.</p>
Video shows smoke rising from vicinity of US embassy in Baghdad
0:11
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumbnail al quds strike 1.jpg
Strike seen close to Al Quds Day march in Iran
1:27
Now playing
• Source: CNN
US Aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport - Two images posted on Telegram by Israeli public broadcaster Kan, a CNN affiliate, showed a KC-135 aircraft with the top of its tail fin missing. Markings on the plane identified it as coming from Beale Air Force Base in California, which hosts the Air Force Reserve Command’s 940th Air Refueling Wing"
Pentagon confirms all 6 crew members dead in Iraq plane crash
1:58
Now playing
• Source: CNN
US President Donald Trump speaks during a Women's Month History event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday, March 12.
Armstrong: Trump can't "TACO" on Iran
1:51
Now playing
• Source: CNN
still_22445067_174034_still.jpg
First purported statement attributed to Iran's supreme leader released
4:44
Now playing
• Source: CNN
16x9 1.jpg
Beirut hit by heavy bombardment
0:52
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumbnail kim guns nk 1.jpg
Kim Jong Un and daughter fire handguns
0:37
Now playing
• Source: CNN
petrolstation.jpg
Fears over impact on African nations if Iran war drags on
2:21
Now playing
• Source: CNN
GENERAL THUMBNAIL .png
'This is the threat of the future': Retired Gen. Petraeus on Iran's drone warfare
6:02
Now playing
• Source: CNN