- Bashar Assad’s regime has collapsed, prompting world reactions and statements on Syria’s future.
- Western leaders view Assad’s fall as a hopeful alternative, not an outright victory.
- Issues come up over Syria’s future governance underneath Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s chief.
As Bashar Assad’s regime collapsed over the weekend, world leaders and international locations issued statements on Syria.
Western leaders principally celebrated Assad’s toppling as a brand new starting for Syria. But additionally they took care to explain the dictator’s fall as a possibility for hope as an alternative of an outright victory.
Assad had, for greater than a decade, confronted a unfastened coalition of various insurgent teams, together with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. Nevertheless it was Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group that traces its roots to Al Qaeda, that stormed from metropolis to metropolis inside days, prompting Assad to flee.
Questions stay about what kind of authorities might type underneath the group’s chief, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. Although he has damaged ties with Al Qaeda and is projecting messages of spiritual tolerance, the US designates him as a terrorist with a $10 million bounty on his head.
Here is how the world’s been reacting to Assad’s fall.
US: President Joe Biden
“In the end, the Assad regime has fallen,” Biden stated on Sunday throughout a press briefing within the Roosevelt Room.
Biden known as the Assad authorities’s expulsion a “basic act of justice” and a “second of alternative for the long-suffering folks of Syria to construct a greater future for his or her proud nation.”
“It is also a second of threat and uncertainty,” the president added. “As all of us flip to the query of what comes subsequent.”
The US has been conducting airstrikes towards ISIS targets in Syria, Biden stated.
US: President-Elect Donald Trump
Trump, who’s to succeed Biden on January 20, referenced the warfare in Ukraine as a key purpose for Russia’s waning navy assist for Assad.
“Assad is gone. He has fled his nation. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not thinking about defending him any longer,” he wrote on Fact Social on Sunday.
In a put up on Saturday, Trump wrote that the US ought to keep away from any involvement in Syria.
“THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” he wrote.
EU: European Fee President Ursula Von der Leyen
In a press release on Sunday, Von der Leyen wrote that Europe hoped to assist Damascus in “rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities.”
“This historic change within the area provides alternatives however isn’t with out dangers,” Von der Leyen wrote.
Nearly all of the nation’s inhabitants is Sunni Muslim, however amongst them are Alawites, Christians, Shiite Muslims, Druze, and different ethnicities and non secular actions.
UK: Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Starmer cautioned on Sunday that Syria’s new political state of affairs remains to be in its “early days,” however stated Assad’s fall was a “superb factor for the Syrian folks.”
“The Syrian folks have suffered underneath Assad’s barbaric regime for too lengthy and we welcome his departure,” Starmer stated. “Our focus is now on making certain a political resolution prevails, and peace and stability is restored.”
Starmer known as for a “rejection of terrorism and violence” and for civilians to be protected.
Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Scholz posted equivalent statements on Sunday in German, Arabic, and English.
“At this time, we stand with all Syrians who’re stuffed with hope for a free, simply, and protected Syria,” the chancellor stated.
“A political resolution to the battle in Syria is feasible. With worldwide companions and on the idea of the resolutions of the UN Safety Council, Germany will make its contribution,” he added.
A couple of hours earlier, Scholz stated that the top of Assad’s rule was “excellent news.” He additionally urged that civilians and minorities be protected.
France: President Emmanuel Macron
“The barbaric state has fallen. Finally,” Macron stated in equivalent statements in Arabic, French, and English.
He known as the present state of affairs a “second of uncertainty” and stated he wished Syrians “peace, freedom, and unity.”
“France will stay dedicated to the safety of all within the Center East,” Macron added.
Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Trudeau additionally celebrated Assad’s fall as the top of a long time of dictatorship in Syria, and stated Canada was “monitoring this transition intently.”
“A brand new chapter for Syria can start right here — one freed from terrorism and struggling for the Syrian folks,” he stated.
China: International Ministry
The Chinese language international ministry’s response centered on the standing of its residents in Syria.
“China is intently following the state of affairs in Syria and hopes that stability will return as quickly as doable,” a ministry spokesperson stated on Sunday.
The spokesperson stated Beijing’s embassy in Syria was nonetheless operational and that it was aiding Chinese language nationals within the nation.
“We urge related events in Syria to make sure the security and safety of the Chinese language establishments and personnel in Syria,” they added.
Iran: International Ministry
Iran, which backed Assad for over a decade, indicated that it hopes to proceed to ascertain a presence within the area.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing Syria’s position as an vital and influential nation in West Asia, will spare no effort to assist set up safety and stability in Syria,” its international ministry stated in a press release.
Regardless of its previous assist for Assad, it added that “figuring out Syria’s future and making selections about its future are solely the accountability of the Syrian folks, with none harmful interference or exterior imposition.”
Turkey: International Minister Hakan Fidan
Fidan stated Assad’s fall paves the best way for hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in neighboring Turkey to probably return residence.
“As of this morning, the Syrian folks have began a brand new day by which they may decide the way forward for their nation,” Fidan stated in a press release.
Turkey is residence to some 3.6 million Syrian refugees, and Ankara has been actively supporting some insurgent forces within the north with troops, drone strikes, and artillery.
Fidan added that Turkey would “assume accountability for no matter must be carried out to heal Syria’s wounds and guarantee its unity, integrity, and safety.”
Russia: International Ministry
In a press release on Sunday, Russia’s international ministry stated it was monitoring Syria “with excessive concern.”
The ministry stated Assad had resigned after discussing with “quite a lot of members” within the civil warfare, and that Moscow was not concerned within the negotiations.
“Nevertheless, we name on all of the events concerned to surrender the usage of violence and resolve all governance points by means of political efforts,” it stated.
“On this regard, the Russian Federation maintains contact with all Syrian opposition teams,” the ministry added.
Russia has stated for years that it is supported Assad to guard Syria’s legitimacy and to struggle terrorism.
It fields two main navy bases in Syria, the Hmeimim Air Base and the Tartus Naval Base, which offer Russia with entry to Africa and the Mediterranean.
“Russian navy bases in Syria are on excessive alert. There isn’t any severe risk to their safety in the intervening time,” the international ministry stated.
It is a growing story. Please examine again for updates.
