Biden affirms that the US will work with its allies to manage the transition in Syria

The United States will work with its partners and other stakeholders in Syria to seize this opportunity for democratic transition in the nation devastated by a more than 13-year conflict, President Joe Biden said Sunday, in his first remarks after the defeat. of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad.

Together with his family, the Syrian president fled to Russia, where they received asylum “for humanitarian reasons,” according to an official Russian source who spoke to their local press agencies.

Syrian rebels took control of the country’s capital, Damascus, on Sunday, ending a bloody process that has cost death, displacement and devastation in the nation. Assad’s departure is a milestone for the Middle East.

What Biden said

In statements at the White House, Biden assured that the United States will support Syria’s neighbors during the transition period and will evaluate the words and actions of rebel groups.

He also stated that the United States does not officially know Assad’s whereabouts, but noted reports that he fled to Moscow. “[Assad] must be held accountable,” Biden said in a brief media appearance on Sunday in Washington.

Biden said Syria is in a period of risk and uncertainty and that it is the first time in years that neither Russia nor Iran nor the militant organization Hezbollah played an influential role in Syria.

“For years, Assad’s biggest supporters have been Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. But over the last week, his support has collapsed – all three – because all three are much weaker today than when I took office,” said Biden, who will hand over the US presidency to the Republican, Donald Trump.

Biden told reporters that U.S. forces carried out a dozen precision strikes inside Syria on Sunday targeting camps and operatives of the Islamic State militant group.

“It is a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. It is also a moment of risk and uncertainty,” Biden said.

“While we all focus on the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and stakeholders in Syria to help them seize the opportunity to manage risk,” Biden added.

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