In an exclusive CNN interview, Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani emphasized the goal of overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad as his coalition advances. Head of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), formed from a former al-Qaeda affiliate, Jolani expressed intentions to replace Assad’s regime with a government built on democratic principles and a people-elected council. This marked his first media interview in years, conducted at an undisclosed Syrian location. Jolani’s statements underscored the ongoing ambition to end Assad’s authoritarian rule. n18oc_world n18oc_crux