There is no forgiveness for those involved in prison torturers, says Syrian rebel leader
Image source: ALJAZEERA
Abu Mohammad al-Julani (al-Shara) has warned that those involved in the torture and killing of prisoners during the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad in Syria must be found and not pardoned.
Meanwhile, the rebel leader who led the fight to oust President Assad said that he would request relevant countries to return officials of the ousted government who have fled abroad.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Shara made the remarks in a statement on the Telegram channel of Syrian state television on Wednesday.
Stating that there is no question of pardoning those involved in the torture of prisoners during the Assad regime, Al-Shara said in the statement, “We will find them (former officials) in Syria. We will request countries to return those who have fled abroad so that justice can be established.”
Rebels in Syria have freed thousands of prisoners since the ouster of the Assad regime. Relatives of thousands of people who disappeared from various prisons in the country, including the infamous Sednaya prison, are now searching for them. In such a context, al-Shara issued this warning about the officials of the fallen government.
Rebel leaders are currently trying to restore stability in Syria after 13 years of civil war. The world is watching carefully whether these new rulers can restore stability to the war-torn country. In this situation, the rebel leader’s statement is being viewed with special importance.
HTS, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, is now the most powerful force in Syria. Analysts say the new regime must balance the demands of victims for justice with the need to prevent violence and secure international support.
Al-Shara issued his warning to officials of the fallen government as rebels in Syria freed thousands of prisoners after the ouster of the Assad regime. Relatives of thousands of people who disappeared from various prisons in the country, including the notorious Sednaya prison, are now searching for them.
Meanwhile, Syria’s interim prime minister has said his goal is to bring back millions of Syrian refugees, establish unity among the countrymen and provide basic services to the people. However, the task of rebuilding the country will be very difficult.
Interim Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said, “We have no foreign currency. There is no guarantee of getting loans and bonds. We are still collecting information.”
The United States is in contact with the rebels.
Analysts also believe that the task of rebuilding Syria after years of civil war will be very complicated. Because many cities have been completely destroyed by bombing during the civil war. Many rural areas of the country have become deserted. The country’s economy is suffering due to international sanctions. Millions of Syrians have fled to neighbouring Türkiye due to the civil war. This is one of the largest refugee crises in modern times.
However, US officials have cautiously begun reaching out to Syrian rebel leaders, even though the rebel group HTS is designated a “terrorist” organization by Washington, the United Nations, the European Union (EU) and some others.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the new Syrian government must uphold its commitment to fully respect the rights of minorities. It must ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all those who need it. It must prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorists or a threat to its neighbours.
Analysts say that Syria’s new leadership will act in a way that will make it easier to lift international sanctions imposed on the country’s government and rebels during Assad’s rule.
News source: The Daily Prothomalo 12 December 2024, 11:30
