In brief
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the new leader of Syria, insists that the country poses no threat and calls for the lifting of sanctions. He advocates for HTS's de-listing from terrorist organizations and promotes educational advancements while reassuring international observers.
A significant shift in Syria's political landscape has emerged following an interview with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the newly established leader of the country and head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). During his discussion with the BBC in Damascus, Sharaa expressed that Syria, having endured years of devastating conflict, no longer represents a threat to its neighboring countries or the wider world. He advocated for the immediate lifting of sanctions on Syria, arguing that these punitive measures were originally intended for the former regime and hence, should not affect the current populace. "The victim and the oppressor should not be treated in the same way," he emphasized, underlining the need for targeted measures that support the new government.Sharaa, who is widely recognized for his leadership role in the recent successful campaign against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, called for the removal of HTS from international terrorist lists. He refuted claims linking HTS to terrorism, stating that the group does not engage in civilian attacks and regards itself as a victim of the prior government’s aggression.Furthermore, Sharaa assured observers that his intention was not to recreate a Taliban-like regime, distinguishing Syrian culture from the tribal dynamics found in Afghanistan. He pointed to advancements in education, particularly for women in Idlib, demonstrating that over 60% of university students in the region are female.When questioned about alcohol consumption laws, he deferred the discussion to future legal frameworks formed by a yet-to-be-established committee of experts, which aims to draft a new constitutional structure for Syria.Despite Sharaa's calm demeanor in the interview and attempts to allay fears of extremism, skepticism prevails among many Syrians regarding the intentions of the new leadership. The forthcoming actions of Syria’s rulers will be crucial in determining the political and social direction of a war-weary nation eager for stability and progress.
