The chief rebel leader who overthrew Bashar al-Assad declared on Wednesday that all those involved in torturing or killing detainees during the deposed president’s tenure would be hunted down with no chance of amnesty.
“We will pursue them in Syria, and we ask countries to hand over those who fled so we can achieve justice,” as stated by Abu Mohammed al-Golani in a broadcast on the Syrian state TV’s Telegram channel.
The world is carefully monitoring whether Syria’s new leadership can bring stability to a nation ravaged by a 13-year civil war characterized by sectarian and ethnic strife.
Under Assad’s long-standing regime, Syria was notorious for its brutally repressive security apparatus.
Now, Golani, previously aligned with the al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), must navigate the complex terrain of satisfying victims’ demands for justice while avoiding further conflict and securing foreign aid.
The appointed interim prime minister has set ambitious goals to repatriate millions of Syrian refugees, foster national unity, and restore essential services, though he acknowledges the immense challenges ahead.
Mohammed al-Bashir, speaking to Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera that “In the coffers there are only Syrian pounds worth little or nothing. One U.S. dollar buys 35,000 of our coins,”
Bashir, who previously managed a rebel-controlled region in northwestern Syria, highlighted the fiscal difficulties, pointing out the lack of foreign reserves and the ongoing assessment of debts and securities following the rapid military campaign that ousted Assad.
The reconstruction of Syria stands as a monumental endeavor after a civil conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
The war has left cities in ruins, displaced large segments of the population, and severely damaged the economy through global sanctions. Countless refugees continue to reside in camps, marking one of the largest displacements in recent history.
While U.S. officials are cautiously engaging with the former insurgents, HTS is still recognized as a terrorist organization globally, maintaining a precarious stance internationally.
The U.S. government expects the new Syrian administration to adhere to stringent standards concerning minority rights, humanitarian aid distribution, and the prevention of terrorism within and from Syrian borders, as stated by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In recent times, HTS has attempted to distance itself from its extremist origins, aiming to mitigate the sanctions and restrictions imposed during the war and by various international bodies.
Two influential U.S. congressmen from both major political parties have suggested that Washington consider easing some sanctions, with the most severe measures up for reconsideration shortly, revealing ongoing discussions about potential adjustments.
The newly formed government has assured the business community of its plans to adopt a free-market economy and integrate into the international financial system, departing from decades of strict state control, according to Bassel Hamwi, president of the Damascus Chambers of Commerce.
In a sign of the volatile situation, the mausoleum of Assad’s father, Hafez, was set ablaze by Sunni Islamist fighters, creating tension among the local Alawite community in Qardaha, Assad’s familial stronghold, despite their initial promises of cooperation with the new regime.
Russia, a staunch ally of Assad who has offered him asylum, has expressed concerns about the possible resurgence of the Islamic State, which previously carved out a formidable presence in parts of Syria and Iraq.
The potential return of refugees has stirred a complex blend of relief and sorrow due to the prolonged suffering endured in exile.
