Syrian rebels led by radical Islamists announced on television on Sunday December 8 the fall of President Bashar al-Assad and the “liberation” of the capital Damascus, after a dazzling offensive.
Published on 08/12/2024 08:57
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For Michel Duclos, former French ambassador to Syria, “the fact that there has been no resistance, for the moment, means that the regime [syrien] was really at the end of its run”. Invited on Franceinfo on Sunday, December 8, the diplomat believes that the fall of Bashar al-Assad can be explained in particular by the fact that the Syrian army “was a demoralized, underpaid army”sometimes composed of conscripts “who might have fought if there had been Russian or Iranian support”. “But as they no longer saw this support around them, they disbanded”says the former French ambassador to Syria.
-“In Hama and in the capital there were special forces, particularly trained divisions loyal to the regime, and these elements also disappeared, this is perhaps the real part of the mystery in this situation”he notes.
“What we've been hearing for some time is that even Assad's supporters would be relieved that he was leaving. That's what we're seeing before our eyes today.”
Michel Duclos, former French ambassador to Syriaat franceinfo
According to Michel Duclos, the question now is to know what is “the stuff” of the main leader of the radical Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. “He gives the impression of having a great political mind”continues the former ambassador, who recalls that he “managed the enclave he led in Idlib over the past five years, with a concern to unite and respect minorities.” “There will be a moment of truth”he concludes.
