In a decisive move two weeks after his rise to power, Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa announced that all weapons within the country, including those held by Kurdish-led forces, will now fall under state control.
During a press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Sharaa stated, \"Syria's armed factions will begin to announce their dissolution and enter the army.\" He emphasized, \"We will absolutely not allow there to be weapons in the country outside state control, whether from the revolutionary factions or the factions present in the SDF area,\" referring to the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Sharaa also addressed the protection of sects and minorities, assuring that the government is working to shield these groups from internal conflicts and external actors aiming to exploit the situation to incite sectarian discord. He affirmed, \"Syria is a country for all and we can coexist together.\"
In response, Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan called for the immediate lifting of sanctions on Syria, urging the international community to support the country's recovery and facilitate the return of displaced people. He stated, \"Sanctions on Syria must be lifted as soon as possible. The international community should mobilize to help Syria get back on its feet and for the displaced people to return.\"
The announcement comes amidst Syria's nearly 14-year civil war, which has resulted in over half a million deaths and displaced more than half of its population, with three million Syrians currently residing in Türkiye.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
