Blinken: US supports peaceful transfer of power in Syria

The United States strongly supports a peaceful transition of power to an accountable Syrian government through an inclusive Syrian-led process, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on December 8.

“During this transitional period, the Syrian people have every right to demand the preservation of state institutions, the resumption of key services, and the protection of vulnerable communities,”  Blinken said in a statement, Caliber.Az reports via the Department’s press service.

Blinken said the US will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons and the unjust detention of civilians such as Austin Tice.

“We will be closely monitoring developments as they unfold and engaging with our partners in the region. We have taken note of statements made by rebel leaders in recent days, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions,” the top diplomat said.

Blinken again called on all actors to respect human rights, take all precautions to protect civilians, and to uphold international humanitarian law.

“After 14 years of conflict, the Syrian people finally have reason for hope. The Assad regime’s refusal since 2011 to engage in a credible political process and its reliance on the brutal support of Russia and Iran led inevitably to its own collapse,” the US diplomatic chief added.

To recall, clashes reignited between Assad regime forces and anti-regime groups in rural areas west of Aleppo, one of Syria’s major northern cities on November 27. Within days, opposition forces launched a swift and strategic offensive, capturing key towns and advancing toward Damascus, the Syrian capital. This rapid progression—fuelled by support from defecting military units—signifies a turning point in the 13-year-long civil war.

To recall, on December 8 morning, rebel fighters captured the Syrian capital of Damascus, effectively toppling the Assad regime that has been in power in the country since 1971. The rebels - who made a lightning advance over the past fortnight, taking key cities on the road to Damascus - were greeted with celebrations in the streets as they entered the city.

Celebratory gunfire was also heard ringing out in the city's Umayyad Square - despite HTS forbidding rebels from doing so.

Assad had been in power since 2000, when he assumed the presidency from his father, Hafez. The regime was marked by repression, censorship and human rights violations.

Following the Arab Spring, several factions opposed to Assad formed - among them HTS, which was established in 2011 as an affiliate of al-Qaeda and had early involvement from the leader of the Islamic State. It is still proscribed as a terrorist group by the UN, the US and others. make it a background 

By Khagan Isayev