Syria Rebel Leader Discusses Power Transition After Assad’s Fall

Syria’s Islamist rebel leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who now goes by his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, began discussions on transferring power following the sudden collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. This development marks a dramatic shift after years of brutal rule by the Assad family, which had overseen a violent crackdown on democratic movements, resulting in a devastating civil war that left half of Syria’s population displaced and 500,000 dead.

The rebel leader met with the outgoing Prime Minister, Mohammed al-Jalali, to coordinate the transition of power in a way that ensures the continued provision of services to the Syrian people. The discussions signal the beginning of a post-Assad Syria, with Sharaa vowing to pursue accountability for the atrocities committed by former regime officials, particularly those responsible for the torture of political prisoners.

On Monday, Syrians celebrated the fall of the regime, with many gathering outside Saydnaya prison, one of the most notorious detention centers, to search for relatives who had been imprisoned under Assad’s rule. Survivors of the regime’s torture, many of whom had been held for years, were seen roaming the streets of Damascus, their bodies bearing the marks of their ordeal.

Sharaa has pledged that the incoming leadership will hold senior regime officials accountable for their roles in the widespread abuses, stating that no one involved in the torture of Syrians would be exempt from justice.

The rapid success of the rebel-led offensive, which began in late November, took many by surprise as city after city fell to the insurgents with minimal resistance. The offensive freed thousands of prisoners, many of whom had been held on political charges. Despite the uncertainty of the future, celebrations erupted in central Damascus, as people expressed relief at the end of the Assad regime’s nearly 55-year rule.

The Syrian parliament, which had been loyal to Assad, expressed support for a transitional phase aimed at rebuilding the country based on law and justice. The Baath party, which had been central to Assad’s governance, also voiced support for this transition, pledging to defend the country’s unity during this critical period.

The international community has been quick to respond, with countries like Germany and France expressing a willingness to cooperate with Syria’s new leadership, provided that human rights and the protection of minorities are upheld. However, the United States and the United Kingdom have made it clear that their engagement will depend on the new leadership’s stance on terrorism and violence, particularly in relation to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group led by Sharaa, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the West.

Meanwhile, Israel, which shares a border with Syria, has carried out more than 100 airstrikes targeting Syrian military assets, including weapons depots and research centers suspected of being linked to chemical weapons production. These strikes come in response to the power vacuum left by Assad’s downfall, as Israel seeks to neutralize potential threats from the remaining military infrastructure in Syria.

In the north, Turkish drone strikes on Kurdish-held areas have resulted in civilian casualties, with at least 11 killed, including six children, further adding to the complex and volatile situation in Syria. The future of Syria remains uncertain, with key questions about the fate of Assad and the role of international powers still to be resolved.