In a significant move, Syria's Military Operations Administration announced the lifting of the curfew in Damascus and its surrounding areas on Wednesday. This decision comes as Interim Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir calls on refugees to return home, signaling a new chapter for the war-torn nation.
Appointed on Tuesday, al-Bashir is a former regional leader in northwestern Syria and will head the transitional government until March 2025. His appointment follows a rapid offensive by a militant alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which seized control of Damascus within 12 days starting November 27. This marks the end of five decades of the Assad family's rule, as President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country.
The new leadership, predominantly influenced by HTS, has pledged to protect the rights of all religious and ethnic groups, aiming to reassure Syria's diverse population. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has vowed justice for victims of the former Assad administration, stating that officials involved in torture will not receive pardons.
Meanwhile, in the northeast, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Turkish-backed militants in the strategic city of Manbij. The ceasefire follows intense clashes that resulted in 218 combatant deaths, with the SDF committing to withdraw from the area "as soon as possible."
U.S. Central Command has confirmed that General Michael Kurilla visited U.S. bases in Syria and met with SDF partners, reinforcing the ongoing cooperation between the two forces. Earlier this month, Turkish-backed forces captured the northern enclave of Tal Rifaat from Kurdish control, highlighting the continued volatility in the region.
On the diplomatic front, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei downplayed the impact of Assad's ouster on Tehran's regional influence, attributing Assad's downfall to the actions of the United States, Israel, and an unnamed neighboring country.
In a move aimed at rebuilding ties, Qatar announced plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus. The decision underscores Qatar's commitment to supporting Syria's reconstruction efforts and facilitating humanitarian aid through an established air bridge.
Despite these political shifts, the humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire. The United Nations reports overwhelmed hospitals, persistent food shortages, and widespread trauma among displaced populations. Bread prices in cities like Idlib and Aleppo have surged by 900 percent, and over one million people have been displaced since HTS launched its offensive on December 27. Additionally, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) identified at least 52 minefields in the past ten days, hindering movement and the delivery of aid.
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Curfew in Damascus lifted as interim PM calls refugees to return home
cgtn.com
