Former Assad officials hand over control to HTS-led interim government ISW on Syria’s power transfer

As of December 10, 2024, senior officials from the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria have begun transferring power to the interim government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), signalling a major shift in the country's political landscape.

Outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalili confirmed that former Assad regime officials are collaborating with the new interim government to maintain key state institutions and safeguard government workers' jobs, Caliber.Az reports via ISW.

The chief executive of Sawsan Abu Zainedin, a coalition of 200 Syrian civil society groups, stressed that the interim government intends to avoid the “de-Baathification” process, which would remove members of the former regime from positions of authority. This is in line with HTS's recognition that its smaller administration in Idlib Province is ill-equipped to govern all of Syria. As such, HTS will likely rely on Syria’s existing state institutions, at least in the short term, to support the transition.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced the United States’ backing for a Syrian-led political transition, emphasizing the importance of a "credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance" in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Syrian media outlets reported that the interim Syrian Salvation Government plans to conduct an assessment of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) before undertaking its reorganization. This is part of a wider HTS-led effort to reconcile with members of the former Syrian regime and the SAA.

HTS announced a general amnesty on December 9 for Syrian military personnel conscripted by the Assad regime, reflecting its broader approach to integrate former combatants into civilian life. Since taking control of Aleppo City in November 2024, HTS has already begun efforts to reintegrate former regime military and security personnel.

This initiative aligns with previous analyses by the Centre for Terrorism and Political Islam (CTP-ISW), which suggested that integrating former combatants into civilian life could promote stability and security during Syria's post-conflict transition.

HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani, however, has made ambiguous statements regarding the fate of former regime officers accused of war crimes. In a recent declaration, Julani stated that HTS would hold these officers “accountable” for their alleged crimes, particularly for the torture of civilians under Assad's regime.

The uncertainty surrounding the nature of these proceedings raises concerns, as HTS lacks the formal legal authority to prosecute former regime officials. It is widely acknowledged that accountability for such crimes should rest with a new Syrian government and constitution, or an international tribunal.

Julani’s comments may reflect growing pressure from hardliners within HTS, with reports indicating that revenge killings are already taking place in HTS-controlled areas. Historically, such acts have exacerbated sectarian tensions, as seen in neighbouring Iraq.

Despite the need for justice, any actions against regime officials should be carried out within a transparent and legitimate legal framework.

By Aghakazim Guliyev