Thu Dec 26 16:42:39 UTC 2024: ## Syria’s New Islamist Rulers Face Challenges After Assad’s Ouster
**Damascus, Syria –** Syria’s new Islamist rulers, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), are grappling with the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, facing challenges of sectarian tensions and calls for accountability for past atrocities. Following an Islamist-led offensive that ended Assad’s five-decade rule on December 8th, HTS has assumed control of the country.
While HTS has pledged to protect minorities and pursue justice for victims of Assad’s regime, recent events highlight the fragility of the situation. Security forces launched an operation targeting pro-Assad militias in Tartus province, resulting in the reported deaths of three gunmen. This follows clashes the previous day that left 17 dead. The operation targeted Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, a former military justice official implicated in atrocities at the notorious Saydnaya prison.
The new government’s efforts are complicated by widespread anxieties. A video depicting an attack on an Alawite shrine sparked protests and violence, leaving one demonstrator dead and five wounded. Authorities responded with a curfew and a ban on sectarian content. While some call for peace, fears of revenge attacks against the Alawite community, from which Assad hails, remain. These tensions underscore the difficulty of balancing accountability for past abuses with the need for national unity and stability.
International engagement with the new authorities is underway. Delegations from various countries, including Iraq, are visiting Damascus to establish ties and address shared concerns. However, the long-term stability of Syria under HTS remains uncertain, with the country facing a complex web of political, social, and security challenges.
First Piper 