Washington — President Biden called the fall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad a “moment of historic opportunity,” and he pledged to support the country and its neighbors against any threat.
“Finally, the Assad regime has fallen,” Biden said at the White House, hours after opposition forces entered Damascus and took control of the country.
Mr. Biden pledged to work with partners and stakeholders Syria to “help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk.” The president also said he will send senior officials to the region, help ensure stability and protect U.S. personnel, and work with Syrian groups to “bring about a transition away from the Assad regime.” and towards an independent and sovereign Syria.
Mr Biden says the administration is “clear-eyed” about the possibility that ISIS might try to gain control amid a power vacuum, but he said “we won’t let that happen.” He noted that the US carried out precision airstrikes in Syria, targeting ISIS camps and operatives.
‘Some rebel groups have been shot Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” the president said, adding that the US would review their actions in the future.
He called on opposition groups to “seek a role in the governance of Syria” and demonstrate their commitment to the Syrian people, the rule of law and the protection of minorities.
The president credited his administration’s work in other foreign conflicts as contributing to the collapse of Assad’s government. He argued that support for Assad from Iran, Hezbollah and Russia was disintegrating “because all three are much weaker today than when I took office.”
Mr Biden said Iran made a “historic mistake” when it “chose to launch a multi-front war against Israel” after the October 7 attack by Hamas. He said Hezbollah is “severely degraded,” as is Hamas, while Iran’s military capabilities are “weakened.” According to the president, the dynamics made it ‘impossible’ for Hezbollah and Iran to continue supporting the Assad regime.
The president said Russian support for Assad fell short because Ukraine has recently been able to inflict “enormous damage” on the Russian armed forces.
“The result of all this is that neither Russia, nor Iran, nor Hezbollah can defend this abhorrent regime in Syria for the first time ever,” Mr. Biden said, calling it a “direct consequence” of Ukraine and Israel’s self-defense with the “unwavering support” of the US
“Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” the president added.
Mr Biden’s comments come as President-elect Donald Trump urged the US not to interfere, saying in a social media post on Saturday that “Syria is a mess, but not our friend is, and that the UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.”
“THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY. DON’T GET INVOLVED!” said the president-elect.
But Biden was careful to mention the opportunity created by the fall of the regime.
“This is a moment of significant risk and uncertainty,” the president said. “But I also believe this is the best chance in generations for Syrians to shape their own future – without opposition.”
