The chief of the group that orchestrated Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s ouster has vowed to disband the nation’s anti-regime forces.
Assad fled Syria on Dec. 8, as opposition teams, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), captured the capital Damascus, ending many years of brutal dictatorship and years of civil conflict.
HTS chief Abu Mohammed al-Golani, now utilizing his actual identify Ahmed al-Sharaa, has sought to reassure minorities at dwelling and governments overseas that the nation’s interim leaders will defend all Syrians in addition to state establishments.
Meeting Monday with members of the Druze neighborhood, he mentioned all insurgent factions would “be disbanded and the fighters trained to join the ranks of the defense ministry.”
“All will be subject to the law,” he added, in line with posts on the group’s Telegram channel.
He additionally emphasised the necessity for unity within the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional nation.
“Syria must remain united,” he mentioned. “There must be a social contract between the state and all religions to guarantee social justice.”
The feedback got here shortly after Assad broke his silence for the primary time since fleeing Syria to Russia, claiming he had been evacuated from a navy base at Moscow’s request.
Russia, together with Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, helped prop up Assad’s rule.
“My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed,” mentioned an announcement from Assad on the ousted presidency’s Telegram channel.
“Moscow requested that the base’s command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia,” he added.
However, 5 former officers have advised Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Assad departed Syria hours earlier than insurgent forces seized Damascus.
Source: www.dailysabah.com