Syria – Countries have increased their efforts to connect with Syria’s interim leadership, following the Islamist-led rebels forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia, marking the end of decades of oppressive rule.
The United Nations special envoy for Syria was among those arriving in the Syrian capital.
“We must ensure justice and accountability for crimes,” Geir Pedersen stated in Damascus.
“It’s essential that this process occurs through a credible justice system, and we must avoid any acts of revenge.”
Later, he met with rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, according to the rebels’ Telegram channel.
A delegation from Qatar also arrived in Syria to engage with transitional government officials.
A man hangs a flag adopted by Syria’s new authorities over a school sign.
They reiterated the Gulf emirate’s “full commitment to supporting the Syrian people…following the success of their revolution,” a spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry informed the emirate’s official news agency.
The ministry subsequently announced that Qatar’s embassy would resume operations on Tuesday, 13 years after its closure during the early stages of the anti-government uprising that evolved into a prolonged civil war.
In contrast to other Arab nations, Qatar never restored diplomatic ties with Mr. Assad’s Syria.
Turkey, a significant player in Syria’s conflict with considerable influence in the northwest, has reopened its embassy in Damascus after 12 years.
Furthermore, Britain’s foreign minister disclosed that London had established diplomatic contact with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group that spearheaded the offensive against Mr. Assad.
They are still designated “a proscribed terrorist organization, but we can engage in diplomatic contact, and we have done so,” stated David Lammy.
The UK also announced the release of €60 million in humanitarian aid for “the most vulnerable” Syrians both in Syria and in neighboring Lebanon and Jordan.
“We remain committed to aiding the Syrian people as they navigate a new direction,” said Mr. Lammy.
Top US diplomat Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed that the United States has made “direct contact” with HTS, despite having classified the group as terrorists in 2018.
France announced that a four-member diplomatic team would arrive in Damascus on Tuesday to “retake possession of our real estate” and to “establish initial contact” with the new authorities, as stated by acting Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
They would also be “assessing the urgent needs of the population,” he added.
Mr. Assad fled Syria on 8 December following an 11-day rebel offensive led by HTS, after years of civil war triggered by his violent response to anti-government protests in 2011.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 500,000 individuals and displaced more than half of the country’s population.
Since the rebels seized control of Damascus, former prisoners like Ghazi Mohammed al-Mohammed have revealed details about the abuses they endured.
Officials reported that many schools were reopening across Syria.
“Towards the end, I just wanted to die, waiting for the moment they would execute us,” remarked Mohammed, who was among those released by the rebels from the prison system Assad utilized to suppress dissent.
Mohammed expressed uncertainty about the reasons for his arrest and endured over five months in prison, claiming he was tortured and threatened with death.
Calm is gradually returning to the streets of Damascus, with numerous children returning to school for the first time since Mr. Assad’s departure.
An official at one school mentioned that “no more than 30%” of students had returned on Sunday, but that the figures would “increase gradually.”
The interim governor of Damascus indicated that significant challenges lie ahead.
“The challenges we face are immense, particularly concerning the extensive destruction of institutions, human resources, the local economy, and social structures,” stated Maher Marwan.
“This reality necessitates great effort and awareness, as well as solidarity from everyone during this phase.”
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler stated that Turkey is prepared to offer military support to the new Islamist-led government established by the rebels if requested, according to Turkish media reports.
The new leadership should be given “a chance,” he emphasized. Turkey is “prepared to provide the necessary support” if needed.
Sunni Muslim HTS is linked to Syria’s branch of Al-Qaeda and is classified as a “terrorist” organization by numerous Western governments.
While it has attempted to moderate its stance in recent years, its rise to power has raised widespread concerns regarding the safeguarding of religious and ethnic minorities.
The interim government assures that the rights of all Syrians will be upheld, as will the rule of law.
Earlier, Syrian Christians attended their first church service since Mr. Assad’s fall.
Mr. Assad was supported by Russia, Iran, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group.
Russia’s foreign ministry announced that it had evacuated some of its diplomatic personnel from Syria “by a special flight of the Russian Air Force from the Hmeimim airbase” in Syria.
The rebel offensive commenced on 27 November, coinciding with the enforcement of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, where Assad’s ally faced substantial losses.
Both Israel and Turkey have conducted military operations within Syria since Mr. Assad’s departure.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported new Israeli strikes near Damascus, following 60 strikes across Syria the previous day.
The UK-based Observatory, which relies on a network of informants in Syria, reported attacks on tunnels and munitions depots of Assad’s army in the Damir region.
Israel has also dispatched troops into a UN-monitored buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights, a move condemned by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which the UN stated violated a 1974 armistice.
“We have no interest in confronting Syria,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement.
“Israel’s strategy regarding Syria will be shaped by the evolving circumstances on the ground.”
