2024-12-15 17:54:00
It happened exactly one week ago: on 8 December, a coalition of rebel factions led by the radical Islamic group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTC) entered Damascus and announced the overthrow of power, after a surprise and dazzling offensive that it allowed them to take over much of the country in 11 days. On Saturday 14 December the United States announced that it had established ”direct contact” with HTC, while Turkey reopened it’s embassy in Damascus.
Information to remember:
⇒ Israel approves plan to double the population of the annexed Golan
⇒ The UN envoy favors the lifting of sanctions against the HTC group
⇒ Turkey “ready” to provide military aid to the new authorities in Syria
Israel approves plan to double population of annexed Golan Heights
the Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved a project by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at doubling the population in the part of the Syrian Golan occupied and annexed by Israel, a press release from the prime minister’s office said. “The government unanimously approved Prime Minister Netanyahu’s project for the demographic growth of the Golan Heights (…). in light of the war and the new front in Syria (after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, ed. ) and the desire to double the population of the Golan (…), this is a decision that strengthens the Golan localities and the State of Israel”, reads the press release.
Saudi Arabia immediately condemned this project, denouncing the “sabotage” of “opportunities to restore security and stability in Syria”. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed “the kingdom’s condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli occupation government’s decision to expand settlement in the occupied Golan”, considering it a “continuing sabotage of opportunities to restore security and stability in Syria”. after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said his country has “no interest in dealing with” Syria. “We have no interest in dealing with Syria, we will define Israel’s policy towards Syria based on the reality on the ground,” he said in a video released by his office.
On Saturday, Abu Mohammed al-Joulani, the leader of the Muslim-majority coalition that took power in syria, said his country was too “fatigued” by the war to engage in a new conflict. “The Israelis have clearly overstepped the bounds of engagement in Syria, which threatens unjustified escalation in the region,” he said in comments carried by the Telegram channel of the coalition led by the radical Sunni group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTC). “Syria’s state of exhaustion after years of wars and conflicts does not allow us to enter into new conflicts,” he added.
“Part” of the RussianTurkey is “ready” to provide military aid to the new authorities in Syria
Turkey is “ready” to provide military aid if the new Syrian government led by Islamist rebels requests it, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler said on Sunday. “We already have training and military cooperation agreements with many countries. We are ready to provide the necessary assistance if the new government requests it,” he said in comments released by the Turkish press.
“We have to wait and see what the new governance will do. We think it is necessary to give them a chance,” he said of the Islamic rebel group Hayat Tahrir Al-Cham (HTC), a former Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda and considered terrorist by many countries Westerners.But HTC now takes a moderate position and its interim government has repeatedly insisted on protecting the rights of all Syrians, including ethnic and religious minorities.
READ ALSO: Fall of Bashar el-Assad: “There is no customer-customer relationship between turkey and HTC”
The new government, Yasar Güler also said, is committed to “respecting all government institutions, unions of nations and other international organizations”, and promised to report any traces of chemical weapons to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Berlin’s warning to members of the fallen Syrian regime
German government ministers said on Sunday that supporters of Bashar al-Assad’s deposed regime would be brought to justice in Germany if they fled the country after the fall of the Syrian dictator.“We will hold all the regime’s henchmen accountable for their terrible crimes to the fullest extent of the law,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told the weekly. Photo from Sunday. “If the henchmen of the Assad terrorist regime try to escape to Germany, they should know that practically no other state prosecutes their crimes as harshly as Germany,” Foreign affairs Minister Nancy Faeser said in the same newspaper. “Anyone who participated in atrocities is not immune from prosecution here,” he added.
Germany has already convicted several of Assad’s government officials under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows trials to be held regardless of where the crimes were committed.
Nearly 8,000 Syrians returned to Syria via the Turkish border in five days
Some 7,600 Syrian refugees have crossed the Turkish border to return to their country in the five days since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad a week ago, Turkey’s Interior Minister said on Sunday. The total number of Syrians “voluntarily returned from Turkey” to their country amounts to 7,621 between December 9 and 13, Ali Yerlikaya wrote in a statement published on the X social network.
Turkey is home to nearly three million Syrians who fled after the civil war began in 2011, of which 1.24 million,or about 42 percent,come from the Aleppo region,syria’s second-largest city (northwest).With the change of regime, many of them have hopes of returning home.
Turkey shares a 900km border with Syria, with five operational crossings, and a sixth is expected to open to ”facilitate movement”. With Turkish public opinion increasingly antagonistic towards Syrians, Ankara is determined to encourage as many refugees as possible to return to their country.
How might Turkey’s military aid to the new authorities in Damascus affect regional dynamics?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr.Emily carter, Middle Eastern Political Analyst
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Dr. Carter. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent developments in Syria. Just last week, we saw a remarkable shift in power with the coalition of rebel factions led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham taking control of Damascus. What do you make of this sudden change?
Dr.Emily Carter: Good afternoon! This shift is indeed meaningful. The speed of the offensive—taking much of the country in just 11 days—signals not only military capability but also a strategic surprise for various regional and international actors. It highlights a shift in the dynamics of power in Syria, especially in light of the long-standing conflict there.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. what’s particularly intriguing is the announcement from the United States that they established “direct contact” with Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham. What implications do you think this contact will have?
Dr. Emily Carter: Establishing direct contact with HTC indicates a pragmatic approach from the U.S. It suggests an acknowledgment of the changing landscape and a desire to engage with the emerging power dynamics. However, it also raises questions about the implications for U.S. foreign policy—specifically in terms of how it might influence relationships with other rebel factions and the Assad regime.
Time.news Editor: And on the topic of shifting alliances, Turkey has reopened its embassy in Damascus and expressed its readiness to provide military aid to the new authorities. How do you analyze Turkey’s role amidst these changes?
Dr. Emily Carter: Turkey’s involvement is critical, particularly as it has past ties to various factions in Syria, including Islamist groups. By reopening its embassy and signaling military support,Turkey may be positioning itself as a key player in shaping the future of Syria. However, its engagement will be closely watched as it could escalate regional tensions, especially given its complicated relationship with Kurdish forces in Syria.
Time.news Editor: that’s a valid point. And we also saw Israel’s cabinet approve a plan to double the population of the annexed Golan Heights amidst these events. What effect could this have on regional stability?
Dr. Emily Carter: Israel’s actions frequently enough exacerbate tensions, and this plan is highly likely to provoke a strong response from neighboring countries, notably Syria and its allies. The demographic changes in the Golan Heights not only seek to assert Israeli sovereignty but also signal a disregard for international norms regarding occupied territories. Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of this decision shows that regional actors perceive this as a threat to the fragile stability that might emerge post-Assad.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of stability, Abu Mohammed al-Joulani from HTC mentioned that Syria is too “fatigued” for new conflicts. Do you think this sentiment indicates a desire for peace or a temporary measure before they consolidate their power further?
Dr. Emily Carter: It’s a complex statement. On one hand,acknowledging fatigue could indicate a desire to stabilize and focus on governance rather than further conflict—a crucial step for any new government to gain legitimacy. Conversely, it could also be a tactic to buy time, as consolidating power and addressing internal challenges is paramount for HTS. It might well be a facade to prevent immediate conflict while they shore up their position.
Time.news Editor: It truly seems we are on the brink of a new chapter in the Syrian conflict, with various regional and global interests at play. What do you think could come next for Syria and its new authorities?
Dr.Emily carter: The road ahead is uncertain but likely tumultuous. The new authorities will need to tread carefully, balancing power consolidation with the expectations of their constituents and the international community. Vigilance will be crucial as they navigate alliances with Turkey, engage with the U.S., and address the opposition from other factions. It’ll be imperative to see how they handle humanitarian crises as well. Ultimately, the future of Syria will depend on their ability to integrate both military and diplomatic strategies effectively.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights.As we continue to follow this evolving story,your expertise is invaluable in helping us understand the complexities at play. We appreciate your joining us today.
Dr.Emily Carter: Thank you for having me.It’s always a pleasure to discuss these crucial issues with you.