political figure

Ahmad al-Jarba

أحمد الجربا

Also known as: Ahmad Jarba • Ahmed al-Jarba

Journeys

Ahmad al-Jarba: Saudi-Backed Leader of the Syrian Opposition

Ahmad al-Jarba's one-year presidency of the Syrian National Coalition reflected Saudi Arabia's attempt to anchor the Syrian opposition in tribal and regional power structures that it could influence.

Biography

Ahmad al-Jarba is a Syrian tribal leader and politician who served as president of the Syrian National Coalition from July 2013 to July 2014. Born in 1969 in Qamishli, he is the leader of the Shammar tribe — one of the most powerful Sunni Arab tribes spanning Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia — and is closely allied with Saudi Arabia. He was among the first opposition figures arrested in March 2011 and released in August 2011. Elected National Coalition president on July 6, 2013, he met with US President Obama and represented the opposition at the Geneva II peace conference in January 2014.

Documentation Status

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Journeys1

Key Facts

Born:1969

Place:Qamishli, Syria

Nationality:Syrian