washington – President Biden on Sunday called the fall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad “a time of historic opportunity,” and promised to support the country and its neighbors against any threats.
“Finally, the Assad regime has fallen,” Mr Biden said at the White House, hours after opposition forces entered Damascus and took control of the country.
Mr. Biden promised to work with partners and stakeholders to in Syria “to help them seize the opportunity to manage risk.” The president also said that he will send senior officials to the region, help ensure stability and protect US personnel and will negotiate with Syrian groups “to establish a transition away from the Assad regime” and towards an independent and independent Syria.
Mr. Biden says the administration has a “clear eye” on the possibility ISIS he might try to control within the power vacuum, but he said “we will not allow that to happen.” He noted that the US is conducting precision airstrikes inside Syria targeting ISIS camps and personnel.
“Some rebel groups are demolishing Assad they have a terrible history of terrorism and human rights abuses,” the president said, adding that the US would examine their actions going forward.
He called on the opposition parties to “seek a role in governing Syria” and show their commitment to the Syrian people, the rule of law and the protection of minorities.
The president praised the work of his administration in other foreign conflicts for contributing to the fall of Assad’s government, saying that Assad’s support from Iran, Hezbollah and Russia was disintegrated “because all three are much weaker today than when I took office.”
Mr. Biden said Iran made a “historic mistake” when it “chose to start a war against Israel” following October 7 attack by Hamas. He said Hezbollah had been “severely degraded,” as well as Hamas, and Iran’s military power had been “weakened.” Power, the president said, made it “impossible” for Hezbollah and Iran to continue supporting the Assad regime.
The president said that Russia’s support for Assad is declining because Ukraine has been able to cause “significant damage” to Russian forces recently.
“The result of all this is that, for the first time, Russia or Iran or Hezbollah will not be able to protect this abominable regime in Syria,” said Mr. Biden, calling it a “direct result” of Ukraine and the defense of Israel “unmarked support” of the US
“Our approach has changed the dynamics of the Middle East,” the president said.
Austin Tice
Mr. Biden told reporters that the US “recognizes that there are Americans in Syria, including those who live there, as well Austin Ticewho was kidnapped more than 12 years ago.”
“We are committed to returning him to his family,” the president said of Tice, a Marine veteran and journalist who worked with several news organizations, including CBS News, the Washington Post and McClatchy, and disappeared on August 14, 2012, while reporting on the Syrian civil war. When Mr. As Biden left the room, he ignored questions shouted at him until a reporter asked, “What does the US know about where Austin Tice might be and if he is safe?”
“We believe he’s alive, and we think we can bring him back, but we don’t have direct evidence of that,” Mr. Biden said. He told reporters, “We have to identify where he is.
Trump’s response to Syria
The comments of Mr. Biden comes as president-elect Donald Trump urged the US not to get involved, saying on his social media post on Saturday that “Syria is a mess, but it is not our friend, and the UNITED STATES MUST NOT HAVE A LAW. IT.”
“THIS IS NOT OUR WAR. LET IT PLAY OUT. DON’T INTERFERE!” said the president-elect.
But Mr. Biden carefully noted the opportunity created by the collapse of the regime.
“This is a time of great danger and uncertainty,” the president said. “But I also believe that this is the best opportunity for generations for Syrians to build their own future – without opposition.”
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