Overthrow of the Assad regime
Head of the interim government promises “stability and calm” in Syria
The new rulers in Syria are trying to spread confidence and talk about the end of the war. But one thing is also certain: the country does not decide its future alone.
The new head of the Syrian interim government is sending signals of moderation after the fall of the previous ruler Bashar al-Assad. In an interview with al-Jazeera broadcaster, Mohammed al-Bashir said it was now time for the people to “enjoy stability and calm” and know that the government was providing the services they needed.
Al-Bashir had previously said on Syrian state television’s Telegram channel that he had been tasked with leading an interim government until March 1.
“Syria will be rebuilt”
Until now, al-Bashir had been the head of the government proclaimed by the Islamist militia Hajat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the rebel stronghold of Idlib in the northwest of the country. Fighters led by the HTS had conquered the capital Damascus and overthrown the long-time ruler Assad. The capture of the Syrian capital was preceded by a rapid advance by the militias through the country. Assad, accused of kidnapping, torture and murder of dissidents, fled to Russia.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani had already announced talks about a transfer of power and said that high-ranking ex-officials involved in torture and war crimes would be held accountable.
Most recently, he tried to calm fears about the future of Syria: He told the British broadcaster Sky News that the country was not heading towards war again: “Syria will be rebuilt,” said al-Jolani. “The country is on the path to development and reconstruction. It is moving towards stability.” People were “exhausted by war,” he continued. “So the country is not ready for another one and will not get into another one.”
The situation does not depend solely on Syria
However, whether the country and the region actually find peace does not solely depend on the new Syrian leadership. Both the USA and Russia as well as neighboring countries have interests there. Including Israel. Defense Minister Israel Katz said his country’s navy had “destroyed the Syrian fleet with great success.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned the new Syrian rulers not to allow Iranian influence to regain strength in Syria.
Under Assad, Syria was an important part of the Iranian-led “Axis of Resistance” against Israel, which also includes the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “We hope that it will firmly oppose the Israeli occupation while preventing foreign interference in its affairs,” Hezbollah said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on all nations to support an “inclusive” political process in Syria. The future government in Damascus must be “credible, inclusive and non-sectarian” and prevent Syria from being used “as a base for terrorism,” he said.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Syria should not become another Iraq, Libya or Afghanistan. Sectarian violence needs to be prevented, as does a resurgence of extremism and a government vacuum.
The horror of the Assad regime has a name: Saidnaya
Shortly after the fall of Syria’s dictator Assad, people make their way to Saidnaya Prison. They are looking for relatives who were imprisoned there. Maybe they survived imprisonment and torture
© Emin Sansar / Picture Alliance
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According to federal government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “agreed that the fall of the dictatorial Assad regime was a very good development.” According to Scholz and Erdogan, it must now be “about making Syria a safe home for all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation,” explained Hebestreit after a telephone conversation between the two.
The jihadist militia Islamic State (IS) no longer has Syrian areas under its control, but is still active. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS militants captured and killed 54 government soldiers.
The UN Syria representative Geir Pedersen called on the HTS militia and its allies to now follow up their “positive messages” of unity to the Syrian people with action. Syria is currently controlled by a “patchwork quilt” of groups. “It is important that conflicts do not arise between groups,” he said.
AFP
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Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
