'Character arc': Syrian leader watching dance performance to Missy Elliott song goes viral

NEWS SUMMARY

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa was filmed watching a dance performance to Missy Elliott's song "Work It" in Damascus on Monday. The video, taken at the inauguration of a sports hall before a basketball match, has gone viral, drawing commentary on his transformation from a former militant.

Full BriefGenerated 0m ago

Submitted by Pauline Ertel on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 15:17 Seeing the militant-turned-president watch a choreographed dance in Damascus to 'Work It' caught the internet by surprise Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during a session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, on 17 April 2026 (Umit Bektas/Reuters) Off A video of interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa watching a dance performance to Missy Elliott's Work It has gone viral, sparking a mix of amusement and confusion on social m

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