The newly appointed prime minister of Syria stated that the Islamist-led coalition responsible for the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad will ensure the protection of minority rights. In an interview, he also urged the millions who fled the conflict to return home.
After a swift offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies, Mr. Assad left Syria, marking a dramatic end to five decades of oppressive rule by his family.
Celebrations erupted among Syrians both within the country and around the globe, following a suffocating period during which any expression of dissent could result in imprisonment or death.
In the wake of Mr. Assad’s removal, which has thrown Syria into uncertainty, the new leadership is working to reassure religious minorities that they will not face oppression.
People celebrate outside the Ummayad mosque in the old city of Damascus
“We will not forgive those responsible for torturing detainees,” declared Mr. Jolani, now known by his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, urging nations to extradite any criminals who might have escaped so they can face justice.
In the corridors of the main hospitals in Damascus, countless families gathered, searching for the remains of loved ones who were seized by authorities years ago.
“Where are our children?” women wept, clutching the walls, yearning for closure after a prolonged period of anguish.
‘Beginning to feel secure’
HTS, which has ties to Syria’s branch of Al-Qaeda and is designated a terrorist organization by many Western nations, has attempted to soften its public discourse.
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“As an Islamic entity, we will protect the rights of all people and all sects in Syria,” stated Mohammad al-Bashir, appointed by the rebels as the transitional head of government, in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Mr. Bashir’s appointment was made public on Tuesday, with the responsibility of leading the diverse multi-ethnic, multi-confessional nation until March 1.
After years under the Assads, Syrians now confront the daunting task of navigating a new direction following nearly 14 years of conflict.
In Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city and the first major location captured by the rebels, shopkeeper Ramadan Dali, age 70, shared that “we are beginning to feel secure.”
Mohammad al-Bashir is tasked with heading the multi-ethnic, multi-confessional country until 1 March
Juman Khilaly, 40, expressed concerns, saying, “There is still much uncertainty regarding even the most fundamental aspects of life, like schooling for my 10-year-old child and skyrocketing prices.”
“Everything is so costly,” she lamented.
Footage from AFP showed the tomb of the late leader’s father set ablaze in the Assads’ ancestral village of Qardaha, watched by rebel fighters in fatigues and local youth.
The Baath Party of the ousted president announced that it would suspend all operations “in all forms… until further notice” and transfer its assets to the new authorities.
Smooth transition
More than 500,000 people have lost their lives in Syria’s war, and half the population has been forced to leave their homes, with six million seeking refuge abroad.
In his discussion with Corriere della Sera, Mr. Bashir called on expatriates to return to Syria.
“Syria is now a free nation that has reclaimed its pride and dignity. Come back,” he proclaimed.
The principal international airport in Damascus, which has been closed since rebels took control of the capital, is set to reopen “in the next few days,” as per its director Anis Fallouh.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the UN is “fully committed to facilitating a smooth transition of power”
Mr. Bashir indicated that the new leadership would welcome collaboration with anyone, provided they do not support Mr. Assad.
Geir Pedersen, the UN envoy for Syria, called for an inclusive approach, expressing his concerns to AFP that the transition might introduce new contradictions that could lead to further civil unrest.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that the organization is “totally committed to supporting a smooth transition of power.”
Mr. Assad found backing from Russia, where he reportedly fled, in addition to support from Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group.
Recently, the Kremlin expressed a desire to see stability in Syria “soon,” while critiquing Israel for hundreds of airstrikes conducted in recent days.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted sites associated with Mr. Assad’s military in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus.
“Israeli warplanes continue to devastate what remains of Syria’s military arsenal for the fourth consecutive day since the regime’s collapse,” noted the UK-based monitor.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani vowed that officials involved in torturing detainees would not be pardoned
‘Test him’
Several Western governments have also warned against military interventions by foreign powers.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that neighboring countries such as Turkey and Israel must not jeopardize the transition of power as they assert their security interests.
France urged Israel to withdraw troops from the buffer zone separating the annexed Golan Heights from Syrian territory, while Spain called for respect for Syria’s “territorial integrity.”
Mr. Assad had managed to withstand protests and an armed uprising for over a decade before his fall.
The rebels initiated their offensive on November 27, coinciding with the commencement of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war, during which Israel inflicted significant losses on Mr. Assad’s Lebanese ally.
Qatar, an ally of Mr. Assad’s opponents, announced plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus “soon.”
Robert Ford, the last U.S. ambassador to Syria, expressed cautious optimism regarding post-victory statements by Mr. Jolani, including support for international monitoring of any discovered chemical weapons.
“I’m not suggesting to trust Jolani… But I genuinely want to put him to the test on some of these issues,” remarked Mr. Ford, now a senior fellow at the U.S.-based Middle East Institute.
