Sharaa vows to hunt down criminals as Syria’s transitional President
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Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, vowed to pursue those responsible for massacres and crimes during his first address since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Appointed for a “transitional period,” Sharaa assumed office after leading the rebellion that overthrew Assad. He announced plans to issue a “constitutional declaration” to guide Syria through its transition, following the suspension of the old constitution.
Rebel military commander Hassan Abdul Ghani revealed that Syria’s 2012 constitution had been canceled, and the former regime’s parliament, army, and security forces were dissolved. In his speech, Sharaa promised to seek justice for those responsible for the bloodshed, whether inside or outside Syria. He also committed to holding a “national dialogue conference” to preserve civil peace and Syria’s unity.
On Wednesday, a “Conference for Announcing the Victory of the Syrian Revolution” took place in Damascus, attended by commanders of factions who had fought alongside Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). During the event, Sharaa declared that all rebel groups would be dissolved and integrated into state institutions. He confirmed plans to create an interim legislative council until a new constitution was established.
Sharaa also discussed the challenges ahead in an interview with Al Arabiya TV, stating that it would take up to four years to hold new elections. He explained that a census would be necessary, taking time, and the process of drafting a new constitution would take up to three years.
Sharaa’s presidency marks the end of a brutal conflict that began in 2011 when Assad crushed a pro-democracy uprising, leading to a civil war that claimed over half a million lives and displaced millions. HTS, once affiliated with al-Qaeda and still labeled a terrorist organization, played a major role in the last rebel stronghold in north-western Syria. In December, rebels seized Damascus after 12 days of intense fighting, prompting Assad to resign and flee to Russia.
An interim government led by Mohammed al-Bashir now oversees Syria until March. Meanwhile, the Syrian government called on Russia to address “past mistakes” and provide war reparations. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met with Sharaa to discuss rebuilding trust through compensation, reconstruction, and recovery. Despite a withdrawal of Russian troops, Russia still retains significant military presence in Syria and maintains key strategic bases.
Sharaa emphasized the “deep strategic interests” between Russia and Syria, reiterating that Syria’s military equipment and many power plants were managed by Russian experts. He expressed hopes that Russia would continue to maintain its strong ties with Syria as the nation enters its transitional phase.