President Biden on Sunday praised the overthrow of Syrian tyrant Bashar al-Assad and offered U.S. assistance in forming a new government, while acknowledging concerns about the rebel group's “terrifying” links to terrorism.
“Finally, the Assad regime has fallen. This regime brutally tortured and murdered literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians,” Biden, 82, said from the White House.
“The fall of the regime is an act of fundamental justice. It is a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering Syrian people to build a better future for their proud country,” the president said.
“This is also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all look to the question of what happens next,” Biden said.
The outgoing president said the US believes Assad is “alive” and hopes to “get him back,” speculating that he may be in Moscow. As Russia claims.
On Saturday, Syrian rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) stormed the Syrian capital Damascus, toppling Assad's regime.
Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani then announced that former prime minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali would oversee the transitional government until power was fully transferred to the rebels.
Despite US opposition to the Assad regime, the US has been wary of HTS and al-Julani because of their past ties to al-Qaeda. Al-Julani severed ties with the group in 2016 and has since sought to claim he has moderated his views.
“Make no mistake about it: Some of the rebels who toppled the Assad regime have their own damning criminal record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” Biden said. “We have been following the statements of rebel leaders in recent days.
“They are saying the right things now, but as they take on more responsibility, we will evaluate not only their words but also their actions.”
Biden emphasized the risk that Syria would once again become a haven for ISIS, noting that the U.S. military has carried out about a dozen airstrikes in Syria targeting the terrorist group since the fall of the regime. I won't let that happen,'' he vowed.
He outlined several pillars of the United States' immediate Syria policy, including further cooperation with neighboring countries Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel. Biden also vowed to help “re-assure stability in eastern Syria” and “remain vigilant” about the situation.
“We will continue to work with all Syrian groups, including within the UN-led process, to establish a transition from the Assad regime. [a] A sovereign and independent Syria…” Biden vowed.
“This process will be decided by the Syrian people themselves. The United States will do everything we can to support them, including humanitarian relief.”
Another key priority Biden has indicated is securing the freedom of journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria more than 12 years ago.
The Assad family has ruled Syria with an iron fist for 53 years, starting with his father, Hafez al-Assad, who seized power in the aftermath of a coup.
Biden claimed victory in defeating the rebels and highlighted his foreign policy efforts.
“For years, President Assad's main supporters were Iran, Hezbollah and Russia, but last week support for all three countries collapsed, because today all three countries are the same as the one I took office as president. “Because we're much weaker than we were then,” Biden said.
“For the first time in history, neither Russia nor Iran nor Hezbollah were able to protect this abominable regime in Syria. This is a direct result of the blows suffered by Ukraine. [and] Israel has defended itself with constant support from the United States. ”
The rebels' success was due in part to the weakening of President Bashar al-Assad's supporters when the rebels resumed attacks late last month, reviving a civil war that had been dormant for more than a decade. It is widely believed that.
Russia was occupied by Ukraine, while Iran and its proxies such as Hezbollah were being battered by Israel.
