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The Biden administration has pledged full support for a transition of government in Syria following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

Let’s bring you up to speed: Last weekend, Bashar al-Assad’s government collapsed in a swift and decisive 10-day offensive led by Syrian rebel forces, resulting in the seizure of the capital, Damascus. The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), known for its controversial ties to terror organizations, spearheaded the operation, toppling Assad’s regime with surprising speed. Assad fled the country and was granted asylum in Moscow, marking the end of his decades-long rule. 

What’s going on now: While speaking to reporters, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “The Syrian people will decide the future of Syria. All nations should pledge to support an inclusive and transparent process and refrain from external interference. The United States will recognize and fully support a future Syrian government that results from this process.  We stand prepared to lend all appropriate support to all of Syria’s diverse communities and constituencies.”

Blinken added, “The transition process and new government must also uphold clear commitments to fully respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance to all in need, prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors, and ensure that any chemical or biological weapons stockpiles are secured and safely destroyed.”

This all comes as the international community has had mixed reactions to the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government. While Assad’s regime was widely condemned for its brutality, including chemical weapons attacks, torture, and systemic oppression of the Syrian people, the rise of HTS under Abu Mohammed al-Jolani raises serious concerns. Jolani, once affiliated with al-Qaeda, has a history of extremist ideology, though in recent years he has attempted to rebrand himself as a more moderate leader. He has sought to distance HTS from its radical roots, calling for tolerance and pledging to protect Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians, Kurds, Druze, and Alawites.