In brief
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria, declared that the war-torn nation is not a threat to its neighbors or the West in a candid interview with the BBC. As the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which recently toppled Bashar al-Assad's regime, Sharaa urged for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria, asserting that his group, previously linked to al-Qaeda, should no longer be labeled as a terrorist organization.
In his remarks, Sharaa emphasized that HTS does not target civilians and positions itself as a victim of the Assad regime's brutal actions. He sought to differentiate Syria's cultural and social dynamics from those of Afghanistan, underscoring his belief in education for women as a key to Syria's future. Amid skepticism from many Syrians regarding his intentions, Sharaa's leadership in the forthcoming months will be pivotal in shaping the nation’s trajectory and governance. As the international community watches closely, the veracity of his claims regarding rights and governance will soon be put to the test.
