In an interview given to BBC In Damascus, Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new de facto leader, said the country is exhausted by war and poses no threat to its neighbors or the West.
The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was prominent in the recent offensive that toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad, called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria, arguing that the Syrian people deserve a chance to rebuild their lives without external restrictions.
Al-Sharaa, who led the lightning offensive that resulted in the fall of the Assad regime less than two weeks ago, is known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.
During the interview, he argued that HTS should be removed from the list of terrorist organizations, a designation imposed by several countries and organizations, including the UN, the US, the European Union and the United Kingdom. The group, which originated as a faction of al-Qaeda, split from that group in 2016.
The rebel leader emphasized that HTS is not a terrorist group, stating that its actions do not target civilians or civilian areas. He described himself as a victim of the crimes perpetrated by the Assad regime, arguing that the truly oppressed should not be treated in the same way as their oppressors.
Al-Sharaa also addressed the comparison made by some between Syria and Afghanistan, denying any intention to turn his country into an Afghan version. He highlighted the cultural and social differences between the two nations, highlighting that Syria has a distinct mentality and that it believes in education for women as a fundamental pillar for the country’s future.
