The swift overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad has left Syrians, regional countries, and global powers anxious about the future as the rebel alliance takes initial steps toward a government transition. The UN Security Council, caught off guard by the rapid developments over the past 12 days, held a closed-door meeting on Monday to assess the situation. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia expressed shock, highlighting the uncertainty moving forward.
Assad, who fled to Moscow on Sunday after 13 years of brutal rule, has seen his prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, agree to transfer power to the rebel-led Salvation Government. Jalali and other officials met with rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Golani), who heads the alliance, to discuss the handover. This transitional government will be led by Mohamed al-Bashir.
The collapse of Assad’s regime marks a major turning point in the Middle East. The civil war, which started in 2011, devastated Syria, killing hundreds of thousands, creating a massive refugee crisis, and leaving cities in ruins. Despite this, the rebel alliance has not clarified plans for Syria’s future, creating uncertainty about the region’s stability.
Regional states, including Qatar, are now engaging with rebel groups, while the U.S. focuses on ensuring any new Syrian authority respects human rights. Amid these shifts, the rebel alliance, led by HTS, has vowed to rebuild the country, though concerns over reprisals remain. HTS leader Golani has promised to hold accountable those responsible for war crimes.
In an effort to restore order, Syria’s banks are reopening, and oil ministry workers have been urged to return to their jobs. However, Israel’s recent actions in Syria’s south have further complicated the situation, prompting condemnation from neighboring states like Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
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