In a shocking move, the European Commission has officially invited Syria’s so-called “interim president” Ahmed al-Sharaa—better known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, former leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—to Brussels for a donor conference on March 17.
The invitation, which grants legitimacy to a known jihadist, has sparked outrage from critics who warn that the EU is once again empowering radical Islamists under the guise of diplomacy.
From Jihadist Warlord to “President”
Al-Sharaa’s rise to power came after his HTS-led forces toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. Despite his past as an al-Qaeda commander, Western governments have rushed to recognize his rule, hoping to stabilize Syria after more than a decade of war.
However, his so-called “moderate transformation” has been exposed as a lie. Just days ago, his forces massacred 745 Alawite civilians in Latakia and Tartus, proving that HTS is still the same bloodthirsty jihadist group it always was.
European Hypocrisy on Full Display
The decision to invite al-Sharaa to Brussels while ignoring his terrorist past and recent war crimes highlights the West’s dangerous double standards. The same European leaders who denounce Israel’s military actions against Hamas are now rolling out the red carpet for an actual jihadist warlord.
“This is absolute insanity,” said a senior Israeli official. “A man responsible for massacres and ethnic cleansing is now being treated as a legitimate leader.”
The EU’s policy of appeasement mirrors past mistakes, such as the failed engagement with the Taliban and the West’s legitimization of Hamas. Instead of demanding accountability, Brussels is offering financial support to a regime built on terror and executions.
Aiding Terror Under the Banner of “Humanitarian Aid”
The March 17 donor conference is supposed to raise funds for Syria’s reconstruction, but critics argue that the money will end up in the hands of jihadists.
Despite his rebranding efforts, al-Sharaa’s regime is still dominated by HTS commanders, many of whom pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda. Allowing these forces access to billions in EU aid could directly finance terrorism, just as international funds have long been funneled to Hamas.
By welcoming a terrorist-turned-“president” to Brussels, the EU is normalizing jihadist rule while abandoning the very principles of human rights and justice it claims to uphold.
This move does not promote peace—it paves the way for more bloodshed, emboldening Islamist factions worldwide. If the West does not reverse course, it risks empowering yet another terror state under the false banner of diplomacy.
