Official statements from the U.S. Department of State and international diplomatic communiques

Assad Toppled as Rebels Led by Al-Golani Take Syria; New PM Vows Rights Amid Israeli Airstrikes

Dec 12, 2024, 03:44 AM

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime has been toppled after more than half a century of rule by the Assad family. Rebel forces, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, seized Damascus following a swift offensive that exposed the weaknesses of the Assad regime. The Ba'ath Party has disbanded, suspending all activities indefinitely. The new interim government, headed by Prime Minister Mohammad al-Bashir, who appeared in a televised address flanked by a flag bearing the Islamic shahada, has pledged to guarantee the rights of all religious groups and to dissolve the former regime's security forces. Extremists have reportedly desecrated and burned the tomb of Hafez al-Assad. The government is urging millions of Syrian refugees to return home and aims to restore public services, including healthcare, transportation, and education. However, there are international concerns about the nature of the new leadership, given its links to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group with roots in Al-Qaeda. Israel has intensified airstrikes in Syria, declaring a 'sterile zone' and targeting military assets and strategic facilities, drawing criticism from UN experts who warn these strikes violate international law. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for efforts to prevent Syria from becoming a terrorist enclave, emphasizing the need to secure and destroy Syria's chemical weapons stockpile. He is set to visit Turkey and Jordan for talks on the situation. The fall of Assad's regime is expected to have significant geopolitical implications for the Middle East, particularly affecting Iran's influence in the region.