In a surprising turn of events following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the leader of the rebel group that led the charge to oust the Syrian president has pledged to disband all rebel factions in the country. Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), emphasized the need for post-war unity and reintegration of fighters into state institutions.
Rebel Factions to Join Defense Ministry
Meeting with members of Syria’s Druze minority, al-Sharaa declared that all rebel groups “will be disbanded and the fighters trained to join the ranks of the defense ministry.” The HTS leader, formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, stressed that “all will be subject to the law” in post-Assad Syria.
The pronouncement marks a significant shift for HTS, which has its roots in al-Qaeda and has been designated as a terrorist group by the UN and several Western nations. However, al-Sharaa has sought to distance the group from its extremist past, emphasizing the importance of a unified, multi-ethnic Syria.
Syria must remain united. There must be a social contract between the state and all religions to guarantee social justice.
– Ahmed al-Sharaa, HTS leader
Lifting Sanctions Key to Refugee Return
In a separate meeting with a British delegation, al-Sharaa emphasized the importance of ending international sanctions against Syria to facilitate the return of refugees displaced by the decade-long conflict. He called for “restoring relations” with the UK and other nations to help rebuild the war-torn country.
The fall of Assad has left Western governments grappling with how to engage with HTS, given its controversial past. While the group claims to have renounced extremism, it faces lingering accusations of human rights abuses.
EU Open to Easing Sanctions with “Positive Steps”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas signaled a willingness to ease sanctions if Syria’s new leadership establishes an inclusive government and respects the rights of women and minorities. “We want to see no extremism, no radicalization,” Kallas stated, adding that the EU would judge HTS by its actions.
The suspension of asylum application processing by several European countries has raised concerns among Syrian refugees who fear returning to an uncertain future. Germany’s CDU party, expected to win upcoming elections, has already called for the return of Syrian refugees.
Assad Claims Russian Evacuation, Denies Fleeing
Meanwhile, ousted president Bashar al-Assad broke his silence from Russia, claiming he had been evacuated at Moscow’s request and denying he fled in the final hours of the conflict. Assad’s statement, released on the former presidency’s Telegram channel, asserted that his departure “was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles.”
As Syria navigates a post-Assad era, the challenges of unifying a fractured nation, rebuilding war-ravaged infrastructure, and repatriating millions of refugees loom large. The disbanding of rebel factions and reintegration of fighters into state institutions, as pledged by HTS leader al-Sharaa, may prove a crucial first step in this daunting process.
However, the international community remains cautious, with the lifting of sanctions and normalization of relations contingent upon demonstrable commitments to inclusive governance and human rights. As Syria stands at a crossroads, the actions of its new leadership will shape the country’s trajectory and its place in the global arena for years to come.
