President Joe Biden on Sunday called the extraordinary fall of the Assad regime in Syria “a moment of risk” and “historic opportunity”, while offering a plan for how the US plans to support the region.
Speaking at the White House in his first substantive comments since the , Biden also announced that the US has conducted dozens of airstrikes in Syria as it remains committed to preventing the resurgence of ISIS.
“This is a moment of historic opportunity for the suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country,” Biden said in the Roosevelt Room. “It is also a time of risk and uncertainty. As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage risk.”
during the transition and protect U.S. personnel in their ongoing mission against ISIS. The president said he plans to speak with his counterparts in the area “in the coming days” and that U.S. officials will be sent to the region.
The U.S. is prioritizing efforts to prevent the resurgence of ISIS, Biden said, adding that he is “clear about the fact that ISIS will seek to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its ability to create a safe haven,” but clearly saying: “ We won’t let that happen.”
Biden noted that these efforts include securing detention facilities where ISIS fighters are being held as prisoners, as well as “precision strikes” in Syria targeting ISIS.
As part of that effort, U.S. forces conducted dozens of airstrikes on Sunday, striking more than 75 ISIS targets using Air Force assets including B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 aircraft, according to with US Central Command.
“There should be no doubt — we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute itself and take advantage of the current situation in Syria. All organizations in Syria must know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way,” Gen. Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander, said in a statement.
Biden’s comments come as President-elect Donald Trump — who takes the oath of office in just over six weeks — has called for a more passive approach to the conflict, saying Saturday that the U.S. should not get involved. This Sunday morning, when rebel groups took over Damascus, he said the fall of the regime showed the “weakened state” of Russia and Iran, both of which support Assad.
“Assad is gone. He fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was no longer interested in protecting him,” Trump said in a social media post.
where they received asylum, Russian state media reported on Sunday.
Biden pledged in his remarks to engage with Syrian groups as the country transitions to a “new independent, sovereign government… serving all of Syria.”
“This process will be determined by the Syrian people themselves,” Biden said. “The United States will do everything we can to support them, including through humanitarian aid, to help restore Syria after more than a decade of war and brutality spawned by the Assad family.”
A senior government official echoed this sentiment at CNNsaying the US will be “engaging with the broad spectrum of Syrian society, opposition groups, groups on the ground in Syria, exile groups.”
Biden warned in his comments that the US will “remain vigilant” and closely watch the actions of rebel groups. The main rebel group leading the offensive, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, has been designated by the US as a terrorist organization. A senior US official told CNN this Sunday that the US believes significant parts of HTS maintain strong ties to ISIS.
“We have taken note of statements from the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days, and they are saying the right things now, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will evaluate not just their words but their actions,” Biden said.
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who leads HTS, declared victory for the “entire Islamic nation” on Sunday in his first public comments since the rebel-led coup, which he said “marks a new chapter in the history of the region.”
He said the armed opposition ultimately plans to form a government defined by institutions and a “council chosen by the people.”
The senior Biden administration official said Sunday that the White House has also “focused” over the past week on the issue of any remaining chemical weapons in Syria, calling it a “top-tier priority.” The senior official did not envision a scenario in which the administration would put U.S. forces on the ground to deal with chemical weapons.
Biden on Sunday also reiterated his commitment to bringing home freelance journalist Austin Tice, who has been imprisoned in Syria since 2012. “We remain committed to returning him to his family,” Biden said, adding: “We believe he is alive. We think we can bring him back.”
When asked by reporters at the White House whether he would approve an operation to rescue Tice, Biden said: “We want to get him out of there. We have to identify where he is.”
In a statement to CNNTice’s parents, Marc and Debra Tice, said, “We look forward to seeing Austin free. We are asking anyone who can do so to help Austin so he can safely return home to his family.”
On Friday (6), the CNN reported that Debra Tice said her son “is being cared for and is doing well,” citing what she called a “significant source that has already been investigated throughout our government.”
U.S. officials contacted Syrian opposition forces Thursday about Austin Tice, hoping to learn more about his whereabouts. The FBI said Sunday it is still offering a reward of up to $1 million for information that could lead to Tice’s safe return.
