HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa called on Syrians to celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assad peacefully in the squares, asking them to refrain from using gunfire.
Syrians gathered in the capital city of Damascus for the first Friday prayers since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s rule nearly a week ago.
The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group that captured the capital, joined the prayers and urged people to celebrate peacefully.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, encouraged Syrians to “head to the squares to show their happiness without firing bullets or causing fear.” He added, “After this, we will work to rebuild the country and, as I said before, achieve victory with God’s help.”
Thousands are expected to take to the streets following prayers to celebrate the end of Al-Assad’s rule.
G7 ready to support political transition
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries will hold a virtual meeting on Friday to discuss the political transition in Syria following the recent developments.
In a statement released on Thursday, the G7 expressed readiness to support a transition that ensures “credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance.”
The group urged Syria’s new government to uphold the “rule of law, universal human rights — including women’s rights — and the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities.” They also emphasised the need for “transparency and accountability,” pledging to fully back a government that adheres to these principles.
Now in control of Damascus, HTS is attempting to soften its image and build ties with Western nations. HTS has its roots in Syria’s al-Qaeda branch but has since sought to moderate its rhetoric.
Obaida Arnaout, a spokesperson for Syria’s interim government, promised on Thursday to institute the “rule of law” and respect “religious and cultural diversity in Syria.”
Blinken and Erdogan meet in Turkey
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday, focusing on the ongoing fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and Syria’s political transition.
He also met with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday.
Blinken emphasised the need for an inclusive, non-sectarian interim government in Syria that safeguards the rights of women and minorities and ensures no threats to neighbouring countries. “There’s broad agreement on what we would like to see going forward,” Blinken said during a joint statement with Fidan.
He also stressed the importance of preventing a resurgence of ISIS, highlighting the efforts both countries have made to dismantle the group’s territorial control. “Our countries worked very hard and gave a lot over many years to ensure the elimination of the territorial caliphate of ISIS to ensure that that threat doesn’t rear its head again,” he said.
The meetings also addressed the possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza, which Blinken described as showing “more encouraging signs” in recent weeks.
As concerns grow over a potential power vacuum in Syria following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, Blinken warned of the risks to regional stability and the chance of ISIS regaining influence.
Later on Friday, Blinken will travel to Jordan for talks with Arab foreign ministers, EU officials, the Arab League, and the United Nations to continue discussions on Syria and broader Middle East stability.
