Ahmed al-Sharaa calls for sanctions lift in Syria after Assad's fall Pledges Legal Reforms

Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has called for international sanctions on his country to be lifted, arguing they target a regime that no longer exists following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), said Syria was no longer a threat to its neighbours or Western nations, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He stressed that the sanctions disproportionately harm ordinary Syrians.

"Now, after all that has happened, sanctions must be lifted because they were targeted at the old regime. The victim and the oppressor should not be treated in the same way," said Sharaa.

Sharaa spearheaded the rebel offensive that toppled Assad’s regime less than two weeks ago. HTS, once affiliated with al-Qaeda, is designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, United States, European Union, and United Kingdom. Sharaa rejected this characterization, insisting HTS no longer holds extremist views.

"We are not a terrorist group. We do not target civilians or civilian areas," he said, adding that HTS members consider themselves victims of Assad's crimes.

The former insurgent leader dismissed comparisons to Afghanistan, asserting that Syria has distinct traditions and a different societal framework. He highlighted HTS's commitment to education, noting that women represent over 60% of university students in Idlib, a rebel-held province in northwestern Syria.

Sharaa was cautious when addressing cultural and legal issues such as alcohol consumption, saying such matters would be decided by a new legal framework. He announced plans for a Syrian committee of legal experts to draft a constitution, emphasizing that any future president would be bound by its provisions.

The 45-minute interview marked Sharaa's first extended appearance in civilian attire. While he sought to project a moderate image, many Syrians remain sceptical of his intentions and HTS’s ability to break away from its militant past.

Observers say the actions of Syria’s new leadership in the coming months will determine whether Sharaa's promises of reform translate into tangible change.

Note that, the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria was overthrown on December 7 after just 11 days of intense conflict, with opposition forces declaring victory as they entered Damascus. The Assad government negotiated its surrender, having failed to address the widespread instability affecting its citizens.

On December 8, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani arrived in Damascus, marking a pivotal moment in the opposition’s efforts to consolidate control. Simultaneously, opposition forces secured major regime strongholds along Syria’s coastline, including Jableh, Latakia, and Tartus, solidifying their gains.

In the capital, the opposition quickly moved to restore order, implementing a curfew and safeguarding both public and private property.

By Aghakazim Guliyev