Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi sign an agreement integrating Kurdish forces into the army, March 10, 2025, Damascus. (Credit: SANA)
Ahmad al-Sharaa has managed to limit the damage. After the massacre that killed at least 1,000 Alawite civilians in the west of the country by factions close to the new government, the Syrian interim president seemed significantly weakened.He is accused of failing to prevent the most radical of his allies from committing crimes reminiscent of the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad — or worse, of being complicit himself. This has tarnished the image of the transitional government in the eyes of the international community, as well as other minorities in the country. Read more Former HTS dissident speaks out: ‘The world must know' But in just 24 hours, Damascus’ new strongman managed to regain control of the situation. First, by signaling his determination to punish those responsible, “even among those closest to [to him].” Then, the...
Ahmad al-Sharaa has managed to limit the damage. After the massacre that killed at least 1,000 Alawite civilians in the west of the country by factions close to the new government, the Syrian interim president seemed significantly weakened.He is accused of failing to prevent the most radical of his allies from committing crimes reminiscent of the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad — or worse, of being complicit himself. This has tarnished the image of the transitional government in the eyes of the international community, as well as other minorities in the country. Read more Former HTS dissident speaks out: ‘The world must know' But in just 24 hours, Damascus’ new strongman managed to regain control of the situation. First, by signaling his determination to punish those responsible, “even among those closest to [to him].”...