Syria's Interim Chief Al-Bashir Pledges to Protect Minority Rights
Syria's new interim Prime Minister, Mohammed Al-Bashir, has vowed to safeguard the rights of minority communities and restore security to the war-torn nation. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he stated, "Those with bloodstained hands will be brought to justice."
In a significant development, the mausoleum of former Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad in Kardaha, Latakia, was set ablaze. Hafez Al-Assad served as Syria's president from 1971 to 2000. Following his death, his son Bashar Al-Assad assumed power.
The new administration has announced that influential members of the former regime and supporters of the "Shabiha" militia will face trials. However, those found innocent will be reinstated in their positions.
The Fall of the Assad Regime
The five-decade-long rule of the Assad family came to an end following a swift military offensive led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies. HTS, once affiliated with Al-Qaeda, severed ties in 2016 but remains classified as a "terrorist" organization by several nations.
Commitment to Minority Rights
Mohammed Al-Bashir has pledged that the new government will protect minority rights and honor the nation's ethnic and religious diversity. However, Zakaria Malahifji, Secretary-General of the Syrian National Movement, criticized the unilateral appointments made by the new government.
Call for Expatriates to Return
The new administration has urged expatriates to return and contribute to rebuilding the nation. The Syrian civil war displaced nearly half of the population, forcing millions to flee the country.
Reactions to the Burning of Hafez Al-Assad's Mausoleum
Mohammad Nasif, a resident of Latakia, remarked, "The people of his own village burned Hafez Al-Assad's mausoleum. They hated him for exploiting them."
Closure of Notorious Prisons
The new government has pledged to shut down the infamous prisons operated during the Assad regime, where thousands were tortured and killed.
International Reactions
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Jordan on Thursday to discuss the establishment of an inclusive government in Syria. Meanwhile, the United Nations’ Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, warned that divisions could trigger a new civil war.
The new administration faces the monumental task of rebuilding the nation. Both citizens and the international community are closely watching the government's next steps.
