Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa performs a pilgrimage in Islam’s holiest metropolis, Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 3.
AFP by way of Getty Pictures/AFP
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AFP by way of Getty Pictures/AFP
DAMASCUS, Syria – Syria’s interim president mentioned Iranian militias that beforehand operated within the nation weren’t solely dangerous to it, but additionally a risk to the broader area.
The president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, led the insurgent group that seized management of Syria in December, ousting dictator Bashar al-Assad and the Iranian forces that supported him.
In a wide-ranging interview on Syrian tv, Sharaa mentioned Iranian forces had been used to “fuel instability” in Syria and different neighboring states.
“The presence of Iranian militias under the previous [Syrian] regime posed a strategic threat to the entire region,” mentioned Sharaa.
Iran’s as soon as sturdy presence in Syria has virtually fully vanished. Iranian forces fled as Assad was overthrown in December, and the nation’s embassy in Damascus stays shuttered.
It is only one in a sequence of main setbacks Iran’s proxy forces have suffered over the previous 12 months. Israel has battered Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel and the U.S. have been hitting the Houthis in Yemen.
Sharaa’s remarks spotlight the efforts by his transitional authorities to realign Syria’s relations with a lot of the world. For many years below Assad, Syria relied closely on Iran and Russia and was remoted from the West.
The brand new Syrian chief is pushing laborious to rebuild ties that had been badly strained or damaged, beginning together with his neighbors.
Trying to Turkey for assist
Sharaa traveled to Turkey on Tuesday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who’s anticipated to play a key function as Syria makes an attempt to beat the ravages of a civil battle that lasted practically 14 years.
Some 3 million Syrians are nonetheless refugees in Turkey, which want to see them return house. Turkish building firms are well-positioned to play a number one function in rebuilding Syria, the place greater than half the inhabitants was pushed from its houses.
The journey to Turkey comes on the heels of Sharaa’s go to Sunday to Saudi Arabia, his first international journey since coming to energy.
Riyadh may present cash to assist Syria recuperate, although no particular plans had been introduced following Sharaa’s talks with the de facto Saudi chief, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Many Syrians are additionally calling for the U.S. and Europe to elevate longstanding sanctions positioned on the nation, saying the punitive measures had been imposed towards the previous Assad regime, and may now be eliminated.
Some European nations are exploring the prospect of elevated contacts with Syria. Nevertheless, President Trump has proven little curiosity in partaking with the brand new Syrian authorities.
“We’re not involved in Syria. Syria is in its own mess. They’ve got enough messes over there. They don’t need us involved,” Trump mentioned not too long ago.
Creating a brand new political and financial system
In the meantime, Sharaa faces a bunch of political and financial challenges at house.
In a rustic that is been below authoritarian rule for many of its fashionable historical past, Sharaa mentioned the longer term Syria is not going to be dominated by one particular person.
“If we look at Syria as a country that will be governed by a single individual — where decisions are made based on who he likes, who opposes him, or who agrees with him — then I say this perspective is incorrect,” Sharaa mentioned. “Syria is not heading in that direction.”
Nevertheless, he acknowledged the brand new authorities had not but established guidelines for political events.
He additionally mentioned probably the most speedy precedence was to stabilize the nation and that it might be 4 or 5 years earlier than Syria holds elections.
Assad’s regime was answerable for large human rights abuses, and Sharaa once more mentioned that senior figures who bore the best duty can be prosecuted.
“We are pursuing these top criminal figures. Many people have suffered from systematic crimes committed by certain individuals,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, he added, “we cannot address every single incident that has occurred over the past 60 years. We must be willing to rise above some grievances. I believe this is the fine line that maintains the balance between civil peace and transitional justice.”
Some officers suspected of abuses below Assad have been arrested. Nevertheless, Assad and his household fled to Russia. Different prime officers both left the nation, or should be in hiding inside Syria.
