Top rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani greets the crowd at Ummayad Mosque in Damascus, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, Syria December 8, 2024. REUTERS/Mahmoud Hassano/File Photo
Syrian Rebel Leader Ahmad al-Sharaa Announces Dissolution of Assad-Era Security Forces
Key Decisions on Regime Institutions
Ahmad al-Sharaa, widely known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, announced on Wednesday that the security forces of the former Assad regime would be dissolved as part of Syria’s transitional governance efforts. The move follows his forces’ sweeping offensive, which ended over five decades of Assad family rule and established a three-month transitional government composed of ministers from rebel-controlled northwest Syria.
In a written statement shared exclusively with Reuters, Sharaa pledged to dismantle Assad’s security apparatus and close notorious prisons where tens of thousands of detainees were held during the regime’s rule.
Prisoner Releases and Search for Missing Persons
The decision to close the infamous prisons has sparked an influx of Syrians searching for information about their missing loved ones. While some detainees have been released alive, many others have been identified among the deceased, and thousands remain unaccounted for.
Commitment to Chemical Weapons Security
Sharaa also addressed concerns about chemical weapons, confirming that his administration is working with international organizations to locate and secure any remaining depots. He reiterated that his group would not use chemical weapons under any circumstances, a stance consistent with previous assurances.
Future Governance and Transitional Timeline
Looking ahead, Sharaa emphasized his intention to form a government of technocrats, distinct from the previous regime’s structure. The current transitional government will oversee the country until March 2025, according to a statement from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group led by Sharaa.
Amnesty for Military Conscripts
The military command affiliated with Sharaa’s group has already announced an amnesty for military conscripts, signaling efforts to foster reconciliation and national unity as the country transitions away from Assad’s rule.
These developments mark significant steps in reshaping Syria’s governance and addressing the legacy of the Assad regime, as Syrians and the international community watch closely to see how the transitional government manages this historic shift.
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