Syrian premier says government still functioning but foreign and domestic challenges loom
Associated PressDec 12
Assad's Fall Triggers Regional Powers' Rush to Shape Syria
Above: The Israeli army strengthens its air and ground forces in the Golan Heights on Dec. 6, 2024. Image copyright: Israel Defense Forces (IDF)/Contributor/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
After Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad departed Syria over the weekend, militants led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured Damascus. On Tuesday, Mohammed al-Bashir, who led the administration of the HTS-controlled enclave in Idlib, became the country's new prime minister.
As uncertainty persists regarding Syria's future, the US attacked Islamic State group (IS) targets in central Syria, meanwhile, Turkey targeted US-backed Kurdish forces. Israel said its forces occupied previous Syrian army positions on Mount Hermon, extending into the Golan Heights buffer zone.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The unexpected offensive by HTS led to the fall of the Assad regime. This situation presents a strategic opportunity to prevent the proliferation of weapons and establish stability in Syria while safeguarding regional security interests through targeted military operations. The primary mission of the US in Syria is to prevent IS from exploiting any power vacuum to re-establish its capabilities in the region.
Establishment-critical narrative
The power vacuum created by Assad's departure poses significant risks of extremist resurgence and territorial fragmentation. It is uncertain whether HTS, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the US and other Western nations, will be able to exert control over the various factions scattered throughout the country. If a new administration can't be formed, the risk of further civil war becomes quite likely, particularly if power-sharing arrangements fail to materialize.