We will not allow extremists to try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish themselves in the countrywarns
▲ Soldiers from Bashar al Assad’s army subdued by jihadist fighters, yesterday on the road between Homs and Damascus.Photo Ap
Ap, Afp, Europa Press and Sputnik
La Jornada Newspaper
Monday, December 9, 2024, p. 21
Washington. President Joe Biden declared yesterday that the collapse of Bashar al Assad’s government in Syria is a fundamental act of justicebut also a time of risk and uncertaintyand reported that US forces carried out a dozen precision strikes against camps and operatives of the Islamic State (IS) in Syrian territory.
Speaking from the White House, when it had not yet been reported that Russia gave him asylum when he was overthrown as president, Biden mentioned that the United States was not sure of his whereabouts.
He highlighted that Syria is in a period of risk and uncertainty and stressed that it is the first time in years that neither Russia nor Iran nor the pro-Iranian militia Hezbollah have an influential role in Syria.
He added that the deposed ruler should be held accountableadding that his country will work with its partners and stakeholders in Syria to help seize an opportunity and manage risk.
He described the situation in the Arab country as historic opportunity to rebuild.
The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice, it is a moment of historic opportunity for the suffering people of Syriahe added.
Biden warned that Washington will remain vigilant against the emergence of groups terroristsand announced that US forces carried out attacks against IS.
Biden, who will leave office on January 20 for the return to power of Republican Donald Trump, maintained that Washington will help the Syrians in reconstruction, and warned that the Islamist groups that make up the rebel alliance will be under scrutiny.
Some of the groups that overthrew Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.pointed out the president.
He added that Washington is clear that that extremist group will try to take advantage of any void to reestablish itself in Syria.
We won’t let that happenhe warned.
The US Central Command reported attacks against more than 75 targets in Syria.
On the other hand, Biden considered that the American journalist who disappeared 12 years ago near Damascus, Austin Tice, is alive and Washington is committed to rescuing him.
The Turkish Defense Minister, Yaşar Güler, spoke by phone with the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, about Syria, the military command reported without giving details.
Meanwhile, Trump attributed Al Assad’s escape to the weakness from Russia, because of Ukraine and a bad economy, and from Iran, because of Israel and his success in combat.