Ahmad Jarba (full Arabic name: أحمد عوينان العاصي الجربا) was born on 1969-10-25 in Qamishli, Syria, and is a prominent Syrian opposition activist known for his longstanding opposition to Bashar al-Assad's regime. A former political prisoner, Jarba hails from an influential tribal background, particularly linked to the Shammar tribe, and maintains close connections to Saudi Arabia, which played a role in his rise within opposition structures. He has been a member of the Syrian National Council and served as President of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, elected in the second round of voting during a three-day coalition meeting on 2013-07-06, securing 55 votes against Qatar-supported rival Mustafa Sabbagh. Jarba was re-elected on 2014-01-05 with 65 votes, defeating Riyad Farid Hijab. His leadership was viewed skeptically by some observers, with a 2013 Economist article noting limited expected influence compared to predecessor Moaz al-Khatib. Despite this, his tribal affiliations and Gulf state backing positioned him as a key figure in the Syrian opposition during the civil war.