Syria’s Military Operations Administration announced on Wednesday the lifting of a curfew in Damascus and surrounding areas, urging residents to return to work as the country navigates the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. The announcement coincided with interim Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir’s call for refugees to return home.
Al-Bashir, a former regional leader in northwestern Syria, was appointed on Tuesday to head a transitional government until March 2025. His appointment follows a swift offensive by a militant alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which captured Damascus within 12 days after launching its offensive from northern Syria on November 27. Assad has fled the country, marking the end of five decades of his family’s rule.
The new leadership, dominated by the Islamist HTS, has sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, promising that the rights of all groups will be guaranteed. “We are committed to building a nation that embraces all Syrians,” Al-Bashir stated in a televised address.
Meanwhile, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani pledged justice for victims of Assad’s administration. “Those officials involved in torture and crimes against our people will not be pardoned,” he declared, emphasizing a commitment to accountability.
Ceasefire in Manbij
In the northeast, Kurdish-led forces announced a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on Wednesday with Turkish-backed militants in the strategic city of Manbij. Fierce clashes had erupted after HTS-led forces ousted the Assad government on Sunday. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led coalition of U.S.-backed militias, reported that 218 combatants were killed in the fighting and pledged to withdraw from the area “as soon as possible.”
U.S. Central Command confirmed that its chief, General Michael Kurilla, had visited U.S. bases in Syria and met with SDF partners. The developments underscore the complex dynamics in the region, where various forces vie for control.
Regional Reactions
Turkey’s influence has grown as Turkish-backed forces earlier captured the strategic northern enclave of Tal Rifaat from Kurdish forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Ankara views the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the dominant force within the SDF, as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei downplayed the impact of Assad’s ouster on Tehran’s regional influence. He dismissed suggestions that the weakening of Syria’s role in the “resistance” against Israel would diminish Iran’s power, accusing the United States, Israel, and an unnamed “neighboring country” of orchestrating Assad’s downfall.
In a significant diplomatic move, Qatar announced plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus, citing historical ties and a commitment to support Syria’s reconstruction. The decision aligns with Qatar’s efforts to channel humanitarian aid to the Syrian population through an established air bridge. Qatar had closed its embassy in Damascus in July 2011 following the outbreak of anti-government protests.
Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire. Hospitals are overwhelmed, food shortages persist, and displaced populations face widespread trauma. The price of bread in cities like Idlib and Aleppo has surged by 900 percent, exacerbating the plight of civilians. Over one million people have been displaced since the start of the HTS-led offensive on December 27.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported numerous minefields obstructing movement and aid delivery, with at least 52 identified in the past ten days. “The scale of displacement and humanitarian need is staggering,” a UN spokesperson stated. “Immediate action is required to address the suffering of the Syrian people.”
As Syria enters a new chapter, the international community watches closely. The interim government’s ability to stabilize the country and address the pressing needs of its people remains a critical concern.
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Curfew in Damascus lifted as interim PM calls refugees to return home
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