A little more than a week after the overthrow of longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, the rebel alliance that assumed power in Syria is making significant strides toward gaining international recognition. Officials from the coalition have begun meeting with diplomats from the United Nations, the Middle East, and Europe.
Ahmed al-Shara, leader of the rebel coalition, met with United Nations special envoy to Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, to discuss the ongoing political transition. Al-Shara, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, emphasized the need for rapid cooperation to rebuild Syria, enhance its economy, and maintain national unity, according to a message posted on Telegram.
Upon his arrival in Damascus, Pedersen acknowledged the numerous challenges facing Syria and called for increased humanitarian aid to address the country's crisis.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, announced that she had sent the EU's top diplomat in Syria to engage with the new government. The EU remains the largest donor of humanitarian aid to Syria through U.N. agencies, making its relationship with the new leadership critical.
France's foreign ministry confirmed that a team of diplomats would travel to Syria, while Turkey and Qatar are reopening their embassies in Damascus, having maintained contact with the rebels prior to the recent upheaval.
Since al-Assad fled on December 8, the international community has had to adapt to a new reality in Syria, where control has shifted to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a conservative Islamist group previously designated as a terrorist organization by the U.N., U.S., and Turkey due to its early connections with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Arab nations had been moving toward normalizing relations with al-Assad, while Western countries had reluctantly accepted his rule amid heavy sanctions. The recent overthrow has forced foreign powers to reassess their strategies toward a group they have long regarded as extremist.
Many countries, including the U.S., European nations, and Turkey, express a desire for a stable, unified Syria with an inclusive government that respects the rights of minorities. To achieve this, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will need to have its terrorist designation lifted, which is essential for unlocking humanitarian aid and lifting economic sanctions.
Kallas indicated that the EU would not lift sanctions until the new leadership demonstrates a commitment to protecting minority and women's rights and renouncing extremism. Discussions among European foreign ministers in Brussels will focus on how to engage with Syria's new leadership.
Italy, which has maintained a diplomatic presence in Syria since 2018, was the first to engage directly with the transitional administration. France's foreign minister announced that a team of diplomats would visit Syria for the first time since 2012 to establish contact and assess the needs of the population.
The evolving diplomatic landscape reflects the shifting power dynamics in Syria. Russia, a key ally of al-Assad, has evacuated some embassy staff, but its ambassador remains in Damascus. Conversely, Turkey has raised its flag over its embassy for the first time in 12 years, and Qatar has also sent a diplomatic delegation to reopen its embassy.
Al-Shara has expressed a desire for international legitimacy for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and highlighted the importance of securing economic and political support to create a safe environment for the millions of Syrian refugees to return. He stressed the need for careful implementation of these initiatives under specialized supervision.