ALBAWABA - A 2017 post by the U.S. Embassy in Syria about Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been revived by social media users, driving a huge wave of mockery and igniting criticism.
A post sparked buzz on social media after a post shared by the U.S. Embassy in Syria on X back on May 15, 2017, about Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a former militant leader of Haye't Tahrir al-Sham, which was the main group driving Syria's armed opposition against Bashar Assad.
"Stop This Terrorist. MUHAMMAD AL-JAWLANI. REWARDS FOR JUSTICE," the post, which included a photo of al-Jolani, read.
The US Embassy in Syria also offered up to $10 million reward for whoever knows his place or gives any information about the wanted militant leader.
The embassy further detailed, "Muhammad al-Jawlani, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, is the senior leader of the terrorist organization, the al-Nusra Front (ANF), or al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria. Under al-Jawlani's leadership, ANF has carried out multiple terrorist attacks throughout Syria, often targeting civilians."
The announcement also detailed that the U.S. government is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information about Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. It also added an email to contact. "If you have information, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or [email protected]."
After the fall of the Assad regime after over 50 years, Ahmed al-Sharaa stood up using his real name for the first time from Damascus, announcing himself as the interim president of Syria, until new elections take place.
Social media users drove a wave of mockery of the US Embassy for not deleting the post, which was shared in 2017, despite the removal of sanctions on Syria and Ahmed al-Sharaa's visits to Washington.
A person said, "What happened to the ten million in the end?" Another mockingly commented, "he is playing basketball at the white house. Can I get that 10-million-dollar reward now."
"You think that bounty is still valid?" an X user jockingly said.
It is worth mentioning that the arrest reward for Abu Mohammad al-Jolani was dropped on December 20, 2024. A senior diplomat said the U.S. is dropping a $10 million reward for the arrest of Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, after an uprising that toppled President Assad.
