Syria’s New Era: Refugees Return Amid Rebel-Led Leadership and Challenges

Refugees from Syria’s long civil war are beginning to return home as a new interim prime minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, takes office with the backing of rebels who overthrew President Bashar al-Assad. The U.S. has urged Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group leading the transition, to form an inclusive government rather than assume unilateral control.

U.S. Stance on the New Leadership: A Key Player in the Syrian Conflict

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the new government must uphold minority rights, facilitate humanitarian aid, and ensure Syria does not become a base for terrorism or a threat to neighboring countries. This cautious stance reflects the complexities of engaging with HTS, a group with historical ties to al Qaeda that has recently downplayed its jihadist roots.

U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer stated that Washington is deliberating its policy toward the rebels while maintaining troops in northeastern Syria for counter-terrorism operations. Despite the leadership change, HTS remains designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S.

Refugees Returning Home

The promise of a fresh start under the new administration has encouraged some refugees to return. Ala Jabeer, who fled Syria 13 years ago, crossed back into the country from Turkey with his young daughter. The journey was bittersweet, as he lost his wife and three children in last year’s devastating earthquakes.

“The most important reason for me to return is that my mother lives in Latakia. She can take care of my daughter so that I can work,” Jabeer said with tears in his eyes.

The massive task of rebuilding Syria lies ahead. Cities are in ruins, rural areas are depopulated, and sanctions have devastated the economy. Millions remain displaced in camps after one of the largest displacements in modern history.

Damascus Reawakens

Signs of normalcy are emerging in Damascus for the first time since Assad’s fall. Banks and shops have reopened, traffic flows through the streets again, and city workers are cleaning public spaces. While Mohammed al-Bashir’s leadership remains untested on a national scale, many view his role as a beacon of hope after years of repression.

Challenges and Regional Tensions

The transitional government faces immediate challenges, including Israeli military strikes on former Syrian army bases and strategic stockpiles. Israel claims its actions aim to establish a “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the intervention would not result in a permanent troop presence. However, Israeli forces have crossed the buffer zone established after the 1973 Middle East war. This has drawn condemnation from Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, further complicating the new government’s early days.

U.S. Demands Accountability

The U.S. is pressuring HTS to assist in locating Austin Tice, an American journalist kidnapped in Syria in 2012. Securing his release remains a high priority for Washington and part of broader efforts to ensure justice and accountability in Syria.

Although Assad’s removal marks the end of an oppressive era, skepticism persists regarding HTS’s ability to honor its commitments. The coming months will be pivotal in determining whether the transitional period can lead to lasting stability and help rebuild a fractured nation.

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