Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the key figure in Assad's downfall, is now classified as a 'specially designated global terrorist'.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the extremist group ISIS, led a rapid attack through Syria, but has a history of extremism, despite a recent call for moderate policies.

"Bill Roggio, managing editor of Long War Journal, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Golani is a globally designated terrorist, who was a member of al Qaeda and is still kept on the U.S. list for a reason."

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Golani, led an offensive in Syria that resulted in the capture of the capital, Demascus, and the overthrow of Assad, who fled the country Saturday as rebels closed in on the city.

According to a report from the Guardian, it was the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S. that initially attracted Golani to jihadi thinking.

He initially left Syria to join al Qaeda in Iraq, but later returned to his home country during a rebellion against Assad's regime. Eventually, he aligned himself with Ayman al-Zawahiri in 2013.

In 2016, Golani severed ties with al Qaeda and in 2017, he led a merger between HTS and other Islamist groups in northwest Syria, gaining control of territory that had been lost during the country's civil war.

In May 2013, the U.S. Department of State labeled Geolani as a globally designated terrorist, due to his involvement in numerous terrorist attacks in Syria that frequently targeted civilians.

Recently, the terrorist leader has tried to adopt a more moderate tone, which coincided with the rebels' offensive across Syria.

Golani stated in an interview with CNN on Friday that no one has the right to eliminate Syria's religious minority groups, who have lived in the region for centuries.

Geloni plays a good political game, but Roggio believes there is little evidence that moderate tone will continue as rebels take charge of Syria.

Roggio stated that he is skilled at manipulating, but he is a global jihadist who plays the moderate game well.

The concern now is about what will happen to the suffering Syrian population after Assad falls, as Roggio acknowledged there is legitimate reason for Syrians to celebrate his downfall.

"Roggio stated that while many Syrians are excited about the downfall of Assad's regime, he believes they will soon discover that the replacement will not be significantly better."