In a significant shift in Syria's political landscape following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, the newly emerged leader, Ahmed Al-Shara (Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani), has called for national reconstruction and stability rather than engaging in new conflicts. Al-Jolani, leader of the victorious Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), delivered a message of peace during a press conference on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Despite ongoing Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, he emphasized the importance of rebuilding the war-torn nation.
Al-Jolani described Israel's justification for its attacks as "weak" and "baseless," accusing the Israeli actions of crossing a "red line" in Syria, which he claims has led to increased regional tensions. "We do not want to engage in new conflicts," Al-Jolani stated, adding that Syria is "full of war fatigue" and that the primary focus must be on reconstruction and restoring stability.
The newly appointed leader also appealed to the international community, urging them to respect Syria’s sovereignty and avoid escalating tensions further. According to Al-Jolani, "Diplomatic solutions are the only effective path to peace and stability."
Russia's role in Syria remains crucial, with their military intervention nearly a decade ago helping Assad's government regain control. Al-Jolani has highlighted the growing importance of Syria-Russia relations and called for continued cooperation, emphasizing that the future of these ties must be respectful and supportive of Syria's goals.
In light of these developments, the new Syrian leadership aims to manage international relations cautiously, with an eye on steering the country towards reconstruction and a peaceful future, despite the ongoing challenges posed by external aggression and internal turmoil.
