Abu Mohammad al-Jolani’s journey to Damascus has been extensive. He has candidly discussed his evolution throughout this period, transforming from a young al-Qaeda fighter two decades ago into a rebel leader advocating for sectarian tolerance.

This path has afforded him ample opportunity to strategize how he would announce his arrival and refine his narrative—his communication aimed at those who elevated him to power, those who could potentially undermine him, and others who might help sustain his authority.

It is fitting that the Islamist rebel selected the revered Umayyad Mosque in Damascus—not a television studio or a recently vacated presidential palace, but a site of immense religious importance, one of the oldest mosques in the world at 1,300 years old—to convey his message.

“This victory, my brothers, is a triumph for the entire Islamic nation,” he proclaimed to his small group, who followed him against the backdrop of the mosque’s striking black and white stone architecture.

This statement was directed at all who had supported his rise to power and facilitated the rapid advance of his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters across Syria to displace President Bashar al-Assad.

It was also a message for the newly liberated Syrian populace. “This victory, my brothers, by the grace of God Almighty, is the result of the sacrifices made by martyrs, widows, and orphans. This victory, my brothers, has been achieved through the suffering of those who have endured imprisonment,” he stated.

In a nation where the deity one follows and the manner of worship can dictate social status, limit ambitions, and create divisions among neighbors, Jolani conveyed a powerful message at the Umayyad Mosque. As a Sunni Muslim, he represents the majority in Syria, while Assad belongs to the Alawite sect. The country is also home to Christians, Druze, Shia Muslims, Ismailis, and others.

However, Jolani’s choice of words seemed aimed at transcending these historical divisions. “This new victory, my brothers, signifies a fresh chapter in the region’s history, one filled with peril that has turned Syria into a battleground for Iranian ambitions, fostering sectarian strife and corruption,” he stated.

By specifically targeting Iran, he appears to be sending a clear warning to Tehran’s regime—indicating that their interference is at an end, their straightforward access to their significant proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon is finished, their backing of Syrian Hezbollah is concluded, and the sanctuary for Iran’s weaponry is no more.

This message is likely to resonate in both Tel Aviv and Washington, where Jolani is viewed as a member of a designated terrorist group with a $10 million bounty on his head. It communicates to them that ‘your interests are acknowledged in the new Syria,’ while also recognizing that these are the entities capable of undermining his position.

Jolani has made considerable efforts to ensure that U.S. President Joe Biden and even President-elect Donald Trump are aware of his intentions. It is no accident that he chose to speak with CNN, a U.S. network, rather than an Arab outlet, for a significant interview shortly before he displaced Assad, asserting that he had distanced himself from other jihadists due to their violent methods.

A few hours later, Biden remarked that he had heard Jolani “saying the right things,” but emphasized that the rebel leader’s actions would ultimately determine his credibility.

Jolani’s address was also aimed at regional powers whose support he needs, as he vowed to implement significant changes. “Syria is being purified,” he stated, alluding to the country’s notorious reputation as a narco-state, claiming that Assad’s regime had “become the world’s leading source of Captagon,” an amphetamine-type substance, along with widespread criminal activity in the region.

Jolani’s speech at the mosque focused on themes of arrival and survival. However, it is his actions that will ultimately ensure his continued existence.