Syria's rebels could bring a fresh start in the civil war

Syria's rebels could bring a fresh start in the civil war

The red-white-green-black flag of the free Syrian army blew over Damascus on Sunday, while thousands of residents filled the main square with full dedication and joy-after President Bashar al-Assad had given up his power. This turn marks a significant moment in Syrian history, since the rebellion of the past eleven days has been the strongest challenge of Assad rule for years. Decades of brutal rule by the Assad dynasty, shaped by fighting, bloodshed and repressive political measures, could now come to an end.

a new beginning for Syria

"This is a historical moment, not only for the Syrian people, but also for people in the Middle East, whether Lebanese, Palestinians or Syrians", said Firas Maksad, a senior fellow of the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC, to CNN. "This regime has oppressed millions of freedom, unity and socialism in Syria for over 50 years.

Now that the anti-regime coalition begins to disassemble Assad's military and formulated its vision for Syria to Assad, experts wonder whether this new section of the freedom of choice could be a new beginning for a people who have suffered from brutal autocracy for decades-or whether the sectanism will bring out another authoritarian regime.

challenges of power transition

The armed opposition in Syria plans the formation of a government, which is defined by institutions and a “council, elected by the people”. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the militant leader of the dominant group in the coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), expressed this towards CNN. Before the decisive offensive attack of the armed fighters last month, Assad's influence in Syria was so strong that the country was divided into regime and rebellious territories- supported some of international powers, including the USA and Turkey.

On November 27, the “Militant Operations Command”, an alliance of various militias, formed through the common goal of freeing the areas controlled by the regime and pluning the president. Jolani explained that if the opposition powers manage to disempower Assad, a "state leadership, institutions and the like" were formed.

concerns about human rights

The continuing fights are accompanied by Jolani's attempts to improve the image of his organization. The leader, who once appeared as a fighter for Al-Qaeda against the USA in Iraq, strives to overcome the extremist roots of HTS. HTS was classified by the USA in 2018 as a foreign terrorist organization and exposed to a bounty of $ 10 million on Jolani.

Many Syrians, including relatives of religious minorities such as Christians, suffer from a past of persecution from extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS. HTS and other anti -government groups have accused HTS and other groups of government in their controlled areas - including Idlib, Homs and Aleppo - against the civilian population and torture dissidents.

Hope for a peaceful new beginning

But while these concerns exist, the joy of liberating the rebels is openly visible. Thousands of people gathered at the main square in Damascus, where the rebels stormed the residence of Assad. "After the fear that he (Assad) and his father did to us for many years, I can't believe it," said the 29-year-old lawyer Omar therefore the Associated Press. Another resident Damascus, Mohammed Amer al-Oulabi, 44, said: "From Idlib to Damascus it only took a few days, thank God. May God bless you, the heroic lions that have made us proud."

and from abroad, Syrian refugees expressed their hope of being able to return to a peaceful country from the war. "We thank our people in Syria and the free that they saved us from wrong," said the Displaced Syrian Wissam Ahmed in Lebanon. "We go to Syria, God wants to rebuild our future and our houses. The feeling is just great, we can't describe it better."