Global Community Seeks Peaceful Transition in Syria
The international community is expressing hope for a smooth transition to new political leadership in Syria following the recent ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. A crisis summit is being held in Jordan, where foreign ministers from Arab nations are convening with international representatives to discuss the future of the war-torn country.
In a video conference, leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations underscored the necessity for a comprehensive political process in Syria, as stated by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the current G7 chair.
Meanwhile, Turkey has announced the reopening of its embassy in Damascus, as confirmed by its Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The embassy had been closed since 2012 due to deteriorating security conditions amid the ongoing civil war.
At the Jordan summit, Fidan will engage with counterparts from various Arab states, including ministers from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. Notably, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, and UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen are also expected to participate. The agenda focuses on exploring ways to assist Syria during this transitional phase, with the aim of initiating a political process led by Syrians that encompasses all factions within the divided nation.
Reports indicate that a rebel alliance led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) had been plotting the overthrow of Assad for approximately a year. Following the recent developments, Assad has reportedly fled to Russia seeking asylum. Abu Hassan al-Hamwi, head of HTS's military wing, disclosed that the planning for the coup began last year, although groundwork had been laid over several years. The HTS, having suffered significant territorial losses in 2019 due to Assad's military actions, recognized the need for unified leadership in their fight against the regime.
During the past year, HTS has managed to consolidate power among other opposition groups in northwestern Syria, gradually transforming its fighters into a disciplined military force under a specified doctrine. With Assad's main allies preoccupied with other conflicts, including Russia's involvement in Ukraine and Iran's engagements with Israel, the HTS deemed the timing ripe for an offensive.
In a related development, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed commitment to aiding the reconstruction of Syria, affirming that Europe will extend its support. He emphasized that the Syrian people deserve a life characterized by freedom and security, reiterating that the responsibility lies with the new leadership to ensure such conditions.
In contrast, Friedrich Merz, chairman of the CDU, has called for heightened scrutiny at European borders to prevent the entry of Assad's supporters. He emphasized the importance of swiftly implementing measures to identify and restrict asylum applications from individuals connected to the Assad regime.
As the political landscape in Syria shifts, Turkey is positioned as a significant foreign player, wielding substantial influence. Analysts indicate that Ankara has maintained strong communication channels with HTS, the dominant group in Damascus. While Turkey does not exert control over HTS, it has conveyed its preference for a peaceful transition.
Simultaneously, the conflict in the Gaza Strip continues unabated, with Israeli military operations targeting Hamas installations. Recent reports detail that Israeli airstrikes have targeted a Hamas command center situated in a building previously used as a school in northern Gaza, amid ongoing hostilities that have resulted in significant casualties.
The situation remains fluid, and the international community is closely monitoring developments as Syria embarks on this critical juncture towards a potentially new political future.
