Japan hopes for stability in Syria following Assad's departure, cabinet chief says

Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi has said that the Japanese authorities are closely monitoring the developments in Syria and strongly recommend all participants in the conflict to stop hostilities and strictly follow the norms of international humanitarian law.

He expressed hope for improvement of the situation in Syria after rebels toppled the government, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“We are closely following the developments in Syria against the background of the unstable situation in the Middle East. We hope that the violence in Syria will stop as soon as possible and all Syrians can enjoy basic human rights, freedom and prosperity,” he said.

Hayashi added: “Japan urges all parties to immediately cease violence, respect international law, including humanitarian law, and take the necessary measures to reduce tensions in the Middle East."

In this regard, he called on all parties to “play a constructive role” by respecting UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

He added that Japan will continue to work closely with the international community to help resolve the crisis in Syria and achieve peace and stability in the region over the longer-term.

Hayashi's remarks came after Syrian rebel fighters seized Syria's capital on December 8 and President Bashar al-Assad fled the country, ending his family's iron-fisted rule of the country that spanned over half a century. Syria has been in the midst of a civil war since 2011.

As of December 8, 2024, Syrian rebels have successfully captured Damascus, marking the end of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. This significant development follows a rapid and unexpected offensive led by opposition forces, which saw major cities fall in quick succession, including Aleppo. The regime's collapse has sparked celebrations among Syrians abroad, and political analysts are considering the profound implications for the region, especially regarding Russia and Iran's involvement in supporting Assad.

By Khagan Isayev