Syria’s Islamist rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaaformerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolanistated this Tuesday that the country’s new authorities will publish a list with the names of former high officials “involved in torturing the Syrian people.”
“We will offer rewards to anyone who provides information on senior military and security officials involved in war crimes.“, he stated in a statement released on Telegram.
The announcement comes a day after the opposition alliance led by al-Sharaa overthrew the dictator Bashar Al Assadafter decades of his regime.
“We will not hesitate to hold accountable the criminals, murderers and security and army officials who tortured the Syrian people”assured the rebel leader, while adding that they will persecute them and request their extradition from the countries to which they have fled.
Additionally, he expressed his commitment to reconciliation for those not implicated in crimes.
“We have affirmed our commitment to tolerance towards those whose hands are not stained with the blood of the Syrian people, and we have granted amnesty to those who were in compulsory service”, pointed out.
Al Shareh began talks this Monday with the deposed regime on the transfer of command.
The Islamist movement Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), of Al Shareh, controlled portions of Syrian territory when it launched a lightning offensive on November 27 that culminated on Sunday with its entry into Damascus.
Assad fled Syria when rebels seized power and ended his five-decade-old dynasty.
Syria had been mired in a civil war since 2011, when the Al Assad regime fiercely repressed a wave of peaceful protestswhich led to a conflict that left 500.000 muertos and forced half the population to flee their homes.
Al Jolani, who now uses his real name Ahmad al Shareh, met with the former prime minister Mohamed al-Jalali “to coordinate a transfer of power that guarantees the supply of services” to the population, the rebels indicated in a statement.
The match Bazof the overthrown dictator, stressed that he supports a transition “to defend the unity of the country.”
For his part, the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the French president, Emmanuel Macrondeclared this Monday that they are “willing to cooperate with the new leaders,” according to the German Chancellery.
Thousands of people gathered this Monday in front of the prison Saydnayaa symbol of the atrocities committed in recent decades, to search for their relatives, many of whom spent years in this compound on the outskirts of Damascus.
Los White Helmetsa network of rescuers who operated in rebel-controlled areas during the conflict, reported that they are searching for prisoners trapped in hiding places and basements.
A rebel fighter revealed to the AFP who found some 40 bodies in a hospital morgue near Damascus with obvious signs of torture.
Aida Taha, 65, said that she walked the streets “like a crazy person” in search of her brother, who was arrested in 2012.
“We have been oppressed for a long time”, stated the woman who pointed out that there are still detainees in the basements and that they need the door codes to enter.
He Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH), an NGO that monitors the conflict, estimated that at least 910 personasincluding 138 civilians, have died since the start of the rebel offensive on November 27.
According to experts, Al Assad’s dictatorship could not be sustained without the support of his allies, since his main support, Russiais focused on Ukrainee Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement are worn down by their confrontations with Israel.
He Syrian Parliament He stated this Monday that he will “accept the will of the people” and in the Umayyad Square in Damascus Many people gathered early to celebrate.
“We never thought this nightmare would end“said Rim Ramadan, 49, who went to the roundabout where many Syrians waved the flag with three red stars, a symbol of the opposition.
Al Jolani stated on Sunday from the Umayyad mosque in the Syrian capital that the rebels’ victory was “for the entire Islamic community.”
(With information from AFP)
