Turkey Ready to Support Syria’s New Government if Requested
Istanbul – Turkey has expressed its willingness to provide military assistance to the newly formed Islamist-led government in Syria, established by rebels who ousted Bashar al-Assad. Defense Minister Yasar Guler announced on Sunday that Turkey is prepared to offer support if the new administration officially requests it. Speaking to reporters, as reported by the state news agency Anadolu and other Turkish outlets, Guler emphasized the importance of giving the new leadership a chance.
“It is crucial to observe how the new administration performs. We believe they deserve an opportunity,” Guler stated, referring to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel alliance, a group with roots in Al-Qaeda’s Syria branch and labeled a “terrorist organization” by many Western nations.
HTS, however, has sought to soften its rhetoric, with its transitional government promising to uphold the rights of all Syrians and ensure adherence to the rule of law. Guler also noted that the new administration has pledged to respect international institutions, including the United Nations, and to report any evidence of chemical weapons to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
After Assad’s Fall: Syria’s Ongoing Challenges
A week after the dramatic overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime following an 11-day rebel offensive led by HTS, Syria remains in the early stages of reckoning with the atrocities committed during his five-decade rule. Assad fled the country after more than 13 years of civil war, which began in 2011 with his violent suppression of pro-democracy protests. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 500,000 people and displaced millions.
UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, arrived in Damascus on Sunday to assess the situation. Although details of his agenda remain undisclosed, calm is reportedly returning to parts of the capital. Schools in Damascus have begun reopening, with some children returning to classrooms after months of disruption.
Raghida Ghosn, a 56-year-old mother of three, shared her relief as her older children resumed classes. “The younger ones will return in a few days,” she said. However, school attendance remains low, with some officials estimating only 30% of students back on Sunday.
Unveiling Syria’s Painful Legacy
As the new administration consolidates power, stories of human rights abuses and systemic violence under the Assad regime are emerging. Journalists and former detainees have revisited notorious detention centers, such as Branch 235, infamously known as the Palestine Branch, which was managed by Syria’s intelligence services.
Journalist Mohammed Darwish, who endured 120 days of interrogation at the facility, recalled the brutal treatment he experienced. “I was interrogated every day, morning and night,” Darwish recounted, standing outside the prison years after his release in 2018.
The fall of Assad marks a significant turning point for Syria, but rebuilding trust, institutions, and stability in the wake of decades of oppression remains a monumental challenge.
