The leader of the Islamist-dominated coalition that seized power in Syria announced Monday that fighting factions will be “disbanded” in the army. He considered it necessary to lift international sanctions targeting Damascus for the return of refugees.
The capture of Damascus on December 8 by a coalition of rebel groups led by the radical Islamists of HTS, at the end of a lightning offensive, brought down Bashar al-Assad, ending more than half a century of rule without sharing.
These groups “will be dissolved and their fighters prepared to join the ranks of the Ministry of Defense, and all will be subject to the law,” said Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who now goes by his real name, Ahmad al -Chareh, in comments reported by the Telegram channel of the coalition led by the radical Sunni group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Call for unity
Unifying the country fragmented by years of bloody war and where there are numerous factions with divergent allegiances and numerous religious and ethnic minorities remains a challenge for HTS.
After the fall of Bashar al-Assad, who posed as the protector of minorities in a majority Sunni country, HTS, a former branch of Al-Qaeda, and the transitional government insisted on respecting the rights of all Syrians.
Ahmad al-Chareh made the remarks during a meeting Monday with members of the Druze community, a branch of Shiite Islam, estimated at around 3% of Syria’s pre-war population.
“Syria must remain united, and there must be a social contract between the State and all faiths to guarantee social justice,” he said in front of the Druze dignitaries.
Lift sanctions
Several countries and organizations welcomed the fall of Mr. Assad, but said they were waiting to see how the new authorities would treat the minorities of the cosmopolitan country.
During a second meeting with a delegation of British diplomats, Mr. al-Chareh also “mentioned the importance of reestablishing relations” with London. He “stressed the need to lift all sanctions imposed on Syria in order to allow the return of Syrian refugees to their country”, in comments reported on Telegram.
The new Syrian authorities have been working for a week to reassure foreign capitals, which are gradually making contact with their leaders while the country’s economy remains subject to severe American and European sanctions.
HTS, which claims to have broken with jihadism and presents a moderate face, remains classified as “terrorist” by several Western capitals.
This article was automatically published. Sources: ats / afp
