Syria’s De Facto Leader Calls for Sanctions to Be Lifted and Reforms to Be Recognized

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s de facto leader, has called for international sanctions on the country to be lifted, arguing they no longer serve their original purpose and harm the nation’s recovery. In an interview with the BBC in Damascus, he emphasized that Syria poses no threat to its neighbors or Western countries.

“Sanctions were imposed on the old regime, but after all that has transpired, they should be lifted. The oppressor and the victim cannot be treated the same way,” Sharaa stated.

Sharaa, who led the rapid offensive that brought down Bashar al-Assad’s regime, is the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the dominant group in the rebel coalition. Formerly known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, he urged for HTS to be removed from international terrorist watchlists.

HTS, initially a splinter group of al-Qaeda, formally severed ties with the organization in 2016. However, it remains designated as a terrorist group by the UN, US, EU, and UK. Sharaa insisted that HTS is no longer a terrorist organization, claiming the group has not targeted civilians or civilian infrastructure and sees itself as a victim of the Assad regime’s crimes.

Contrary to fears that Syria could follow Afghanistan’s path, Sharaa emphasized the differences between the two nations. “Syria is not a tribal society like Afghanistan. We have a different culture and mindset,” he explained.

Sharaa also addressed concerns over education and women’s rights, noting that HTS has supported higher education in Idlib province for years. “In our universities, women make up more than 60% of the student body,” he said.

When questioned about social policies, including alcohol consumption, Sharaa deferred, stating, “These are legal matters. A Syrian committee of legal experts will draft the constitution, and any president or leader will adhere to the law.”

Dressed in civilian clothing and maintaining a calm demeanor, Sharaa appeared to project an image of reform and moderation. He expressed a vision of inclusivity and rule of law, hoping to alleviate fears about the group’s extremist history.

Despite Sharaa’s assurances, skepticism remains among Syrians and the international community. The actions of Syria’s new leadership in the coming months will likely determine whether their claims of transformation hold true.