U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., November 26, 2024.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
President Joe Biden cheered the toppling of Syria’s dictatorship in remarks on Sunday, however he warned in regards to the uncertainty throughout the nation’s political transition.
“It’s a second of historic alternative for the long-suffering individuals of Syria to construct a greater future for his or her proud nation,” he stated from the White House’s Roosevelt Room. “It’s additionally a second of danger and uncertainty. As we flip to the query of what comes subsequent, the United States will work with our companions and the stakeholders in Syria to assist them seize a chance to handle the chance.”
The U.S. will assist Syria’s neighbors, together with Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Israel, throughout the transition interval and ship senior officers to the area, Biden stated. He additionally pledged to proceed the mission in opposition to ISIS and to make sure the safety of detention amenities in Syria that maintain ISIS fighters.
“We’re clear-eyed about the truth that ISIS will attempt to benefit from the brand new vacuum to reestablish its functionality and create a secure haven. We won’t let that occur,” Biden stated.
He added that U.S. forces carried out a dozen precision air strikes in Syria on Sunday, concentrating on ISIS camps and operatives.
But he famous that it is not simply ISIS that poses a menace. Biden stated the U.S. will keep vigilant, including that a number of the insurgent teams that took down Assad’s regime have their very own data of terrorism and human rights abuses.
“They’re saying the proper issues now, however as they tackle higher duty, we’ll assess not simply their phrases however their actions,” he stated.
The U.S. may also assist “all Syrian teams” set up an unbiased, sovereign authorities. That pledge will embody humanitarian assist to assist Syria after 13 years of civil warfare.
Biden additionally stated that his administration is dedicated to returning Austin Tice to his household. Tice, an American journalist, was kidnapped in Damascus in 2012 and detained by the Syrian authorities. Biden stated the U.S. thinks Tice is alive.
Syrian insurgent forces seized the capital of Damascus on Sunday. Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated President Bashar al-Assad has resigned and left the nation, ending his family’s decades-long dictatorship in Syria.
“We’re unsure the place he’s, however there’s phrase that he is in Moscow,” Biden stated, including later that Assad needs to be held accountable.
Assad assumed management within the nation in 2000, following his father’s dying. Assad’s allies included Russia, Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Biden stated all three allies are “far weaker” now than they had been when he took workplace.
