The sudden overthrow of the president Bashar Al-Assad It has generated nervousness among Syrians, regional countries and world powers. This Tuesday, the rebel alliance began its first steps towards a government transition.
He UN Security Council met behind closed doors on Monday night, and diplomats expressed their astonishment at the speed with which Assad’s fall occurred, in just 12 days, after a 13 year civil war that had remained stagnant for a long time.
“Everyone was surprised, including the council members. We have to wait, watch and evaluate how the situation will develop”, declared the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, after the meeting.
Russia played a crucial role in supporting Al Assad’s government and helping it fight the rebels. The Syrian leader fled Damascus towards Moscow on Sunday, ending more than 50 years of brutal rule by his family.
In the midst of a celebration atmosphere in DamascusAl Assad’s prime minister, Mohammed Jalaliagreed on Monday to hand over power to Salvation Government rebel-led administration based in territory controlled by opposition forces in northwestern Syria.
The main rebel commander, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golanimet with Jalali and the vice president Faisal Mekdad to discuss the government transition, according to a source familiar with the conversations cited by Reuters.
Jalali stated that The power transfer process could take several days.
The chain Al Jazeera reported that the transitional authority will be headed by Mohamed al-Bashirwho already led the Salvation Government.
The rapid advance of the alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, marks a generational turning point in Middle East.
The civil war, which began in 2011, left hundreds of thousands dead, caused one of the largest refugee crisis of the modern era and devastated cities, depopulated the countryside and plunged the economy under global sanctions.
The rebel alliance has not communicated a clear plan for the future of Syria, and in such a fragmented region there is no predefined model for such a transition.
He oil price rose more than 1% on Monday on fears that instability in Syria, although not a major oil producer, could raise tensions in the region, according to analysts.
“This is an incredible moment for the Syrian people”said Robert Wood, deputy US ambassador to the UN, from New York. “We are focused on seeing where the situation is heading. Can a governing authority be established in Syria that respects the rights and dignity of its population?”.
Washington indicated that it is looking for ways to engage with the Syrian rebel groups and is turning to regional allies like Türkiye to engage in informal diplomacy.
Qatari diplomats contacted HTS on Monday, according to an official briefed on the developments, as states in the region seek to establish contact with the group.
In Damascussome insurgent fighters who gathered in the central Umayyad Square They expressed hope that a civilian government would soon run the country.
“We want the state and security forces to take control”said Firdous Omar, a fighter who plans to return to work as a farmer in Idlib province.
Golani has promised to rebuild Syria, and HTS has worked for years to soften his image in order to reassure foreign nations and minority groups within the country.
Despite progress, fears of retaliation persist. The HTS declared that it will not hesitate to hold accountable the security and army officials involved in the torture of the Syrian peoplecalling them criminals and murderers.
““We will publish a list with the names of the highest officials involved in the torture of Syrians.”Golani stated. “Rewards to be offered for information on high-ranking officials involved in war crimes”.
HTS is designated as a terrorist organization by many states and the UN, calling into question its ability to govern.
“Syrians hope to establish a state of freedom, equality, rule of law and democracy. We will join forces to rebuild our country, repair what was destroyed and build a better future for Syria”, the Syrian ambassador to the UN, Koussay Aldahhak, told reporters.
Meanwhile, there are tentative signs of a return to order. Banks will reopen this Tuesdayand the Ministry of Petroleum called on all employees in the sector to resume their work, ensuring that protection will be provided to guarantee their safety.
In one of the many challenges facing Syria, Israel occupied a buffer zone in the south of the countrywhich was condemned by Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The latter warned that the measure “will ruin Syria’s chances of regaining security.”
Israel, for its part, assured that it will continue with its air strikes for several days, but stated before the UN Security Council that it is not intervening in the Syrian conflict. According to his statements, he has taken “limited and temporary measures” exclusively to protect his safety.
(Reuters)
