DAMASCUS: Syria’s newly appointed interim prime minister has vowed to protect the rights of minority groups as the country transitions away from Bashar al-Assad’s decades-long rule. This comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in the region to support an “inclusive” transition following Assad’s abrupt ousting.
Assad was overthrown after a rapid offensive led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which brought an end to five decades of authoritarian rule. The sudden collapse of Assad’s regime sparked widespread celebrations across Syria and abroad, as citizens who had lived under oppressive conditions for years rejoiced. Many had endured years of brutal crackdowns, imprisonment, and torture during the regime’s reign, which was marked by a devastating civil war that claimed 500,000 lives and displaced millions.
“We were living in oppression, we were unable to speak,” said Ibtissam Kaab, a resident from Assad’s hometown of Qardaha. “Whenever we wanted to speak, they threatened to harm us and our children.”
However, while there is euphoria over Assad’s fall, concerns over Syria’s future, particularly its ethnic and religious minorities, persist. The HTS, which is rooted in Syria’s Al-Qaeda branch, has assured these communities that their rights will be protected. Mohammad al-Bashir, the new interim prime minister, said in a recent interview, “Because we are Islamic, we will guarantee the rights of all people and all sects in Syria.”
The new leadership has also promised to bring justice to the victims of Assad’s brutal regime. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who now goes by the name Ahmed al-Sharaa, vowed to hold those responsible for the torture of detainees accountable, urging countries to extradite any criminals who may have fled Syria.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Jordan on Thursday, his first stop on a regional tour where he will advocate for a “Syrian-led transition” that is inclusive, accountable, and representative of all Syrians. He will also push for Syria to avoid becoming a “base for terrorism” or posing a threat to its neighbors, particularly Israel and Turkey, both of which have conducted military operations within Syria since Assad’s ouster.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israel has launched new strikes against Assad’s military sites in the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus, while Turkish drones targeted Syrian military sites in the Kurdish-controlled northeast.
The Syrian people now face the immense task of rebuilding their country after years of war and destruction. Bashir has called on the six million Syrians who fled abroad to return, saying, “Syria is now a free country that has earned its pride and dignity. Come back.”
As Syria moves forward, efforts are underway to reopen the country’s international airport, which has been closed since rebels captured the capital. Anis Fallouh, the director of Damascus airport, confirmed the reopening would happen “in the next few days.”
The UN’s envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has stressed the importance of an inclusive transition, warning that any new contradictions could lead to further civil strife. Many Syrians, such as shopkeeper Ramadan Dali from Aleppo, feel hopeful about the future, while others like Juman Khilaly remain concerned about the high cost of living and the need for basic necessities.
For many, the end of Assad’s rule is seen as an opportunity to leave behind the trauma of years of torture, disappearances, and executions. In a symbolic act of defiance, rebel fighters set fire to the tomb of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father and predecessor. Meanwhile, the Baath Party, once the ruling party under Assad, announced it would suspend its operations indefinitely and hand over its assets to the new authorities.
