Following the collapse of the 61-year-old Baath regime in Syria and the overthrow of Bashar Assad’s government, all eyes are on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its leader Shara. The HTS leader known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani now prefers to be known as Ahmed al-Shara.
HE MADE A CALL TO THE WEST
In his interview with the Times newspaper, Shera called on the West to lift all sanctions imposed on Syria under Assad’s rule, including the designation of HTS as a terrorist organization.
“THIS ISSUE IS CLOSED TO NEGOTIATION”
Referring to the overthrow of the Assad government, Şera said, “They should lift all restrictions imposed on torturers and victims. The torturer is no more. “This issue is not negotiable.” he said.
WARNED ISRAEL
Shara also warned Israel that it should end its air strikes in Syria and withdraw from the territory it captured after Bashar Assad fled.
“TO MANAGE SYRIA, IT IS NECESSARY TO SHIFT FROM A REVOLUTIONARY MENTALITY TO A STATIST MENTALITY”
Ahmed al-Shara recently spoke to Syria TV, which broadcasts from Turkey. Shera stated that Damascus has been exposed to tragic conditions and destruction has spread everywhere, and said, “In order to govern Syria, it is necessary to switch from a revolutionary mentality to a statist mentality.” he said.
Stating that carefully prepared plans are required to end the tragedy that Syria has suffered, Şera pointed out that data should be collected and analyzed before taking practical steps to deal with urgent problems.
Şera said that in order to ensure sustainable stability, the country should establish a state based on law and institutions.
Stating that the future of Syria depends on the establishment of the foundations of governance and justice and emphasizing the importance of not making the mistakes made during the period of Bashar Assad, the deposed leader of the collapsed regime, Şera emphasized that the new administration of Syria will put an end to the regime’s captagon production.
Şera pointed out that they have been planning and preparing for many years to overthrow the Assad regime and touched upon the importance of building a new Syria that will guarantee the rights and justice of all citizens in the new era.
Reminding that the Russian Air Force focused heavily on hitting civilian targets during the Assad regime, Şera stated that there were fears that what happened in Gaza would be repeated in northern Syria, and this led to the escalation of humanitarian problems.
ISRAEL’S ATTACKS: “ISRAEL’S ARGUMENTS ARE NO LONGER BASIS”
Regarding Israel’s increasing attacks in Syria in recent days, Şera made the assessment that “Israel’s arguments are no longer groundless and do not justify its latest violations.” Shera said that Israel exceeded the limits of its engagement in Syria, which increased tensions in the region.
Reminding that Syria has been exhausted after years of conflict, Şera added that the priority at this stage is to ensure reconstruction and stability, not to be drawn into conflicts that could lead to further destruction.
Şera called on the international community to intervene urgently and assume their responsibilities in the face of this tension, drawing attention to the importance of taking the situation in the region under control and respecting Syria’s sovereignty.
Stating that the only way to ensure all kinds of security and stability is through diplomacy, Şera stated that the collapse of the regime was a result of Syrians’ unity.
“WE DO NOT HAVE HOSTILITY TO THE IRANIAN PEOPLE”
Shara stated that Iran is “carrying out an expansionist project” in the region and that this poses a threat to neighboring and Gulf countries, and said, “We managed to end Iran’s presence in Syria. However, we do not harbor hostility towards the Iranian people. Our problem is with policies that harm our country.” he said.
RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA
Shara stated that the Syrian administration is trying to avoid provoking Russia and is giving Russia the opportunity to evaluate its relations with Syria for the benefit of both countries.
“OUR PRIORITY IS TO MEET THE BASIC NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC”
Şera noted that the current stage requires careful management of international relations.
Stating that Assad is using Syria “like a farm” for personal interests, Şera explained that the extent of the theft is very large and that they will publish documents showing these violations in the future.
“Our priority right now is to meet the basic needs of the people and work to achieve a more stable and fair future,” Şera said. made his assessment.
USA AND UK ARE IN CONTACT WITH HTS
Meanwhile, according to İHA and DHA, the US and UK foreign ministers announced that they were in contact with HTS. British Foreign Minister David Lammy stated that they have established diplomatic contact with HTS and said, “They continue to be on the list of terrorist organizations, but we can establish diplomatic contact and, as you can imagine, we have diplomatic contact. We want to see a representative government, an inclusive government. Chemical weapons stocks are secured and not used.” “We want to see this and we want to ensure that the violence does not continue,” he said.
Lammy stated that they are in contact with HTS for all these reasons through their diplomatic and intelligence-based channels.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Syria has changed more than in any week in the last half century. Blinken said the United States and other regional powers have agreed to a set of principles they hope Syria’s interim leaders will abide by in exchange for support and recognition for a future Syrian government.
Blinken called on the transitional government in Syria to respect the rights of minorities and women, show no tolerance for terrorist groups, destroy chemical weapons stockpiles, and get along with Syria’s neighbors. To a journalist’s question about whether there was communication with HTS, which the US sees as a terrorist group, Blinken replied, “We are in contact with HTS and other parties.”