Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa performs a pilgrimage in Islam’s holiest metropolis, Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 3.
AFP through Getty Photos/AFP
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AFP through Getty Photos/AFP
DAMASCUS, Syria – Syria’s interim president stated Iranian militias that beforehand operated within the nation weren’t solely dangerous to it, but in addition a menace 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 stated Iranian forces had been used to “gasoline instability” in Syria and different neighboring states.
“The presence of Iranian militias below the earlier [Syrian] regime posed a strategic menace to the complete area,” stated Sharaa.
Iran’s as soon as sturdy presence in Syria has nearly completely 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 onerous to rebuild ties that had been badly strained or damaged, beginning together with his neighbors.
Seeking 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 struggle that lasted practically 14 years.
Some 3 million Syrians are nonetheless refugees in Turkey, which wish to see them return house. Turkish building corporations are well-positioned to play a number one function in rebuilding Syria, the place greater than half the inhabitants was pushed from its properties.
The journey to Turkey comes on the heels of Sharaa’s go to Sunday to Saudi Arabia, his first overseas journey since coming to energy.
Riyadh may present cash to assist Syria get well, 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 carry longstanding sanctions positioned on the nation, saying the punitive measures had been imposed in opposition to the previous Assad regime, and may now be eliminated.
Some European nations are exploring the prospect of elevated contacts with Syria. Nonetheless, President Trump has proven little curiosity in participating with the brand new Syrian authorities.
“We’re not concerned in Syria. Syria is in its personal mess. They have sufficient messes over there. They do not want us concerned,” Trump stated 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 trendy historical past, Sharaa stated the longer term Syria is not going to be dominated by one particular person.
“If we have a look at Syria as a rustic that might be ruled by a single particular person — the place choices are made based mostly on who he likes, who opposes him, or who agrees with him — then I say this attitude is wrong,” Sharaa stated. “Syria just isn’t heading in that course.”
Nonetheless, he acknowledged the brand new authorities had not but established guidelines for political events.
He additionally stated probably the most speedy precedence was to stabilize the nation and that it will be 4 or 5 years earlier than Syria holds elections.
Assad’s regime was liable for large human rights abuses, and Sharaa once more stated that senior figures who bore the best accountability could be prosecuted.
“We’re pursuing these prime legal figures. Many individuals have suffered from systematic crimes dedicated by sure people,” he stated.
Nonetheless, he added, “we can’t tackle each single incident that has occurred over the previous 60 years. We should be keen to rise above some grievances. I imagine that is the wonderful line that maintains the steadiness between civil peace and transitional justice.”
Some officers suspected of abuses below Assad have been arrested. Nonetheless, Assad and his household fled to Russia. Different prime officers both left the nation, or should still be in hiding inside Syria.
