Latest developments in Syria following fall of Bashar al-Assad
In a significant development following the fall of Assad on December 8, Fadl Abdulghani, director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), reported that over 6,000 regime officers have been documented for war crimes. He emphasized the urgent need for a national court to prosecute these individuals, warning that without justice, the cycle of revenge may continue. Abdulghani also highlighted the ongoing human rights abuses, including over 200,000 deaths attributed to Assad’s regime, and stressed the necessity for international support to establish an independent judiciary.
As the new transitional government is formed, led by Mohammad al-Bashir, there are concerns regarding the future of Syrian refugees. Several EU countries, including Austria and Germany, have suspended asylum applications for Syrians, citing the need to assess the new political landscape. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser noted that conditions in Syria must improve before considering repatriation, while over 47,000 asylum claims from Syrians remain pending in Germany.
The G7 leaders have expressed readiness to support a political transition in Syria, emphasizing respect for human rights and the rule of law. The transitional government has announced a three-month period to amend the constitution and ensure a stable governance structure. Meanwhile, rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has sought to reassure Syrians that his group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), does not seek to dominate the country. He emphasized that HTS will continue to provide essential government services and maintain order.
Meanwhile, Syria’s new government spokesman has said the country’s constitution and parliament would be suspended for the duration of the three-month transition period following president Bashar Assad’s ouster, claiming the current constitution dates back to 2012 and does not specify Islam as the state religion.
In the mean time, Israel has continued attacks on Syria, apparently taking advantage of the security vacuum in the nation. In response, the United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has said he is deeply concerned “over the hundreds of Israeli air strikes” on Syria, noting there is an “urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout the country.”
Pope Francis has called for mutual respect among religions during this fragile transition, urging for peace and stability in the nation. He expressed hope that different faiths in Syria could work together for the common good, emphasizing the importance of a political solution that promotes unity and prevents further conflict.
Concurrently, the Shirazi-affiliated International Non-Violence Organization (FreeMuslim) has welcomed the recent release of political detainees from Syrian prisons, advocating for broader reforms that prioritize human rights and freedoms. They stress the need for Arab and Islamic governments to review their policies to ensure the protection of dissenters and promote democratic governance, which they believe is essential for long-term stability and reform in Syria.
It is also worth mentioning that the Biden administration is reportedly considering removing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from its terrorist list to facilitate international engagement, despite ongoing discussions and monitoring of the group’s activities.
