Stephanie Sy:
The U.S. has supported the interim Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist who has promised peace. Ten days ago, the U.S. lifted its terrorist designation on Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, his former armed rebel group, now part of the interim government.
And in may, al-Sharaa met with President Trump a day after Trump lifted sanctions on Syria. An array of groups hold sway in the country, in the Northeast, the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces supported by the United States. And, in the northwest, swathes of territory are controlled by Turkish-backed militias. Other opposition groups hold pockets of power in the south, and Israel occupies and controls the Golan Heights.
Since the new interim government came into power in late March, instability has been rife. The nation’s many factions and tribes have come head-to-head. In March, 1,500 Alawites, a religious minority that once controlled Syria under the 50-year Assad family dictatorship, were slaughtered by forces of the new government, this after former officers loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad attempted a coup in Latakia, once the Assad dynastic power base.
And while interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa denounced the killings and vowed justice, his own government has been criticized for aiding and abetting Syria’s instability. Today, al-Sharaa promised to protect the Druze.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syrian President (through interpreter): I also address the Druze people. We assure you that protecting your rights and freedom is one of our priorities, and we reject any effort that aims to drag you to an external party or to create division within our ranks.
