Al-Shar’a Meets Petraeus: Revealing the True Nature of Teir Relationship

(Translated)

News:

Syrian President Ahmad al-Shar’a met with General David Petraeus, former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq and former CIA director, in a session during the Concordia  Annual Summit on Security and Democracy, on Monday, September 22, in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. (Al Jazeera)

Comment:

The meeting included several "surprises." It was described as intimate and cordial, beginning with a warm exchange of greetings. Petraeus welcomed al-Shar’a in Arabic, saying, “Assalamu alaykum, Mr. President,” and added, “It is an honor, Mr. President.”

For those unfamiliar, Petraeus had been the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq when al-Shar’a (al-Jolani) was detained by the Americans there. Petraeus had reportedly offered $10 million for information on Jolani’s location. After his detention, al-Jolani spent several years in prison and was released only after Petraeus left Iraq. Petraeus was also known for overseeing an American detention system that produced individuals who later fought against resistance efforts, including Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of ISIS. Al-Jolani, meanwhile, was held at Camp Bucca between 2006 and 2011 and released to cross into Syria when the Assad regime was nearing collapse.

The surprising aspect was the exchange of smiles, laughter, and peace greetings between a general, a former captor, and a pursued militant, with Petraeus reportedly expressing admiration for al-Shar’a and calling him a skilled leader.

To underscore the American role assigned to al-Shar’a, he spoke about Syria’s relations with the Jewish entity, which occupies Palestine, commits atrocities against its people, and continues incursions into Syrian territory, including the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon. Despite this, al-Shar’a suggested that a security settlement is possible and did not rule out full normalization with the Jewish entity. Such statements provoke the question: would Bashar al-Assad have dared to engage in such negotiations with the arch-enemy of the Ummah, or was al-Shar’a’s remark to Petraeus, “My mission in Syria is much more difficult than yours in Iraq,” indicative of his alignment with U.S. interests?

Al-Shar’a’s inclusion among compliant rulers of the Muslim world has become evident. He appears to have completed his graduation as a capable U.S. agent, able to carry out regional policies without hesitation. Previously a militant, al-Jolani seems to operate under the belief that past sins are forgiven, even if millions of Syrians suffered during the revolution. The real concern is not just personal accountability, but ensuring that leadership in Syria aligns with justice, supports the people, and resists external domination.

Thus, it is imperative for the people of Syria to continue their revolution, aiming to restore integrity and independence to their country. The struggle must focus on supporting competent and principled military forces in the Syrian revolution, particularly those aligned with political movements advocating justice, governance according to divine guidance, and the protection of the oppressed.

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ﴾

“O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life, and know that Allah intervenes between a person and his heart, and that to Him you will be gathered.” [TMQ Surah Al-Anfal: 24]

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by

Bilal Al-Muhajir – Wilayah Pakistan