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Syria's Ahmed al-Sharaa Declares All Weapons Under State Control, Calls for Sanctions Lift

Dec 22, 2024, 04:10 PM

Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as al-Julani and leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, has announced that all weapons in the country will be placed under state control. This declaration was made during a press conference in Damascus alongside Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who has been supportive of the new administration. Al-Sharaa emphasized that no weapons would be allowed outside state control, whether from revolutionary factions or those in areas controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). He also stated that armed groups would begin to announce their dissolution and join the army. Al-Sharaa met with representatives of military groups in Damascus to discuss the future structure of the Syrian armed forces, which will be united under the Ministry of Defense. Additionally, he called for the international community to lift sanctions on Syria to aid in the country's reconstruction and the return of displaced persons. The new leader also committed to protecting minorities and promoting coexistence in the multiethnic and multiconfessional country. This comes after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria for 24 years and fled to Moscow following a 13-year civil war that resulted in 500,000 deaths and displaced millions. Al-Sharaa criticized Iran's role and its support for Hezbollah during the conflict.