Syria's rebels begin efforts to form govt after Assad's fall
1. We're really focused right now on trying to see where the situation goes," says US envoy to United Nations
DAMASCUS, NEW YORK: Days after Syrian opposition groups successfully stormed Damascus and ousted former president Bashar al-Assad, rebels have taken the initial steps toward establishing a transitional government aimed at restoring stability in the war-torn nation.
This development follows a closed-door United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, where diplomats expressed astonishment at Assad's rapid ouster, which occurred over just 12 days after a protracted 13-year civil war. The war had been at a stalemate for years.
"Everyone was taken by surprise, including the members of the council. We have to wait and see how the situation unfolds and assess its development," said Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.
Moscow had been a key ally of Assad's government, providing significant support during the conflict. On Sunday, Assad fled Damascus for Moscow, bringing an end to more than 50 years of brutal rule by his family.
With the mood in Damascus still celebratory, Assad’s prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, agreed to hand over power to the rebel-led Salvation Government, which operates out of northwest Syria in rebel-held territory. The transition talks were led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the main rebel commander, who met with Jalali and Vice President Faisal Mekdad to discuss the transfer of power. Jalali indicated that the handover could take several days to complete.
Al Jazeera reported that Mohamed al-Bashir, leader of the Salvation Government, would head the new transitional authority.
The rebel alliance’s swift advance, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, represents a significant turning point in the Middle East. The civil war, which began in 2011, resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, displaced millions, and reduced cities to rubble. It also caused widespread economic destruction exacerbated by global sanctions.
Despite the shift in power, the rebel alliance has yet to outline detailed plans for Syria's future, and the transition remains uncertain due to the complex and fragmented nature of the region.
Golani Promises Accountability
Oil prices surged by over 1% on Monday, partly due to concerns about the potential for rising instability in Syria, which could escalate regional tensions, analysts noted.
"This is an incredible moment for the Syrian people," said Robert Wood, Deputy US Ambassador to the UN. "Now, we are focused on how the situation develops. Can there be a governing authority in Syria that respects the rights and dignity of its population?"
The US is exploring ways to engage with Syrian rebel factions, reaching out to regional partners such as Turkey to initiate informal diplomatic talks. Qatari diplomats have also engaged with HTS, according to a source briefed on the matter, as regional actors seek to establish contact with the group.
There are early signs of a return to order. Syria’s banks are set to reopen on Tuesday, and the oil ministry has called on employees to return to work, assuring them of safety measures. Reuters reporters witnessed employees arriving at the Central Bank of Syria to resume their duties for the first time since Assad's downfall.
"It's a new shift, a new day, a new year, a new life," said one employee, Sumayra al-Mukli.
Golani has pledged to rebuild Syria, and HTS has spent years trying to improve its image in an effort to gain international acceptance and win the confidence of minority groups within Syria.
However, fears of reprisals remain. Golani vowed to hold Syrian security and military officers accountable for war crimes committed during Assad’s regime. "We will release a list of the senior officials involved in the torture of the Syrian people," he said, offering rewards for information leading to the identification of these individuals.
HTS is designated as a terrorist organization by many countries and the UN, and its legitimacy as a governing body remains uncertain.
"Syrians are looking forward to establishing a state of freedom, equality, rule of law, democracy, and we will work together to rebuild our country and secure a better future," said Syria's UN Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak.
