G7 to Support Syrian Transition Post-Assad, Amidst HTS Offensive and New Government's Rule of Law Pledge

Dec 13, 2024, 08:05 AM

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations are set to meet virtually on Friday to discuss the transition in Syria following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Moscow after a swift offensive by a coalition of rebels, including the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group. The new Syrian government has pledged to establish the 'rule of law' after years of abuses under Assad's regime. The G7 leaders aim to support a transition to an 'inclusive and nonsectarian' government, emphasizing the protection of human rights, particularly for women and minorities, and the accountability of the Assad regime for its crimes. This meeting comes in the wake of nearly 14 years of war that killed more than 500,000 people and displaced 1.1 million since the rebel offensive began on November 27. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for an 'inclusive transition' to a 'responsible and representative' government in Syria, amid military operations by Turkey and Israel. UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed concern over violations of Syria's sovereignty. The Kurdish administration has adopted the flag of the new Syrian authorities.