This photo released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows the interim president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, addressing representatives and dignitaries of Syrian communities at the national dialogue conference in Damascus on Feb. 25, 2025 (Credit: AFP)
Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa took a decisive step in asserting his authority — and that of the country’s strategic forces — during the national dialogue conference held in Damascus on Tuesday."The monopoly on arms must rest in the hands of the state ... in order to build a professional national army and consider any group operating outside official institutions as outlawed armed factions," read the final declaration, delivered at the presidential palace by Hoda al-Atassi, a member of the preparatory committee.This statement was an implicit reference to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and other groups that have refused to disarm following the fall of Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8.More than 600 people were expected to attend the main session of the national dialogue conference, held at the Damascus Rose Hotel....
Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa took a decisive step in asserting his authority — and that of the country’s strategic forces — during the national dialogue conference held in Damascus on Tuesday."The monopoly on arms must rest in the hands of the state ... in order to build a professional national army and consider any group operating outside official institutions as outlawed armed factions," read the final declaration, delivered at the presidential palace by Hoda al-Atassi, a member of the preparatory committee.This statement was an implicit reference to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and other groups that have refused to disarm following the fall of Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8.More than 600 people were expected to attend the main session of the national dialogue conference, held at the Damascus Rose...