Lifting Sanctions A Vision for Syria's Future

Tuesday 17 December 2024 - 15:03

In an exclusive interview, Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), shared his vision for Syria's future after the removal of Bashar al-Assad. The interview, held at the Syrian government headquarters in Damascus, provided insight into al-Sharaa's plans for the war-torn country.

Al-Sharaa, dressed in a blazer and crisp white shirt, emphasized that rebuilding Syria was his foremost priority. He explained that lifting international sanctions was crucial to the country’s recovery, pointing out the paradox of punishing the Syrian people for the actions of a leader, Bashar al-Assad, who is no longer in power.

“The victims of this war, the Syrian people, are being punished for the crimes of an executioner who is no longer with us,” said al-Sharaa. He stressed the importance of the international community’s assistance in holding accountable those responsible for the regime's atrocities, and in recovering the funds that were misappropriated from Syrians.

Throughout the hour-long interview, al-Sharaa discussed several key topics, including the future of the Syrian state, the rebuilding of its military, and relationships with neighboring countries. He also expressed his expectations for the international community’s support in Syria’s efforts to rebuild and heal.

This conversation marks a significant moment in Syria's journey as it looks ahead to a future shaped by new leadership and international cooperation.