Opposition fighters fire into the air as they celebrate in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, December 8, 2024. Photo credit: Hussein Malla/AP/Profimedia
The United States will maintain its presence in eastern Syria and take the necessary steps to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, Daniel Shapiro, said on Sunday, Reuters reports.
Speaking hours after Syrian rebels announced that they had overthrown the government of Bashar al-Assad, the Pentagon official called on all sides to protect civilians, especially minorities, and respect international norms.
“We are aware that the chaotic and dynamic circumstances on the ground in Syria could give ISIS room to find the ability to become active, to plan external operations, and we are committed to working with these partners to continue to degrade their capabilities,” Shapiro said. said at the Manama Dialogue security conference in the capital of Bahrain.
“(We are determined) to ensure the lasting defeat (of the Islamic State), ensure the safe detention of ISIS fighters and the repatriation of displaced persons,” Shapiro added.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the rebel advance into western Syria, was formerly an al-Qaeda affiliate known as the Nusra Front until its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016.
Western governments, which have avoided the Assad-led state for years, must decide how to deal with a new administration in which HTS appears to have influence. HTS is a designated terrorist group worldwide.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has ruled Syria for 24 years, fled from the capital Damascus on Sunday aboard an Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane, according to Al Jazeera.
The latest developments in the situation in Syria, where the Assad regime has collapsed after 13 years of civil war, I’m LIVETEXT on HOTNEWS.RO.
