Statements By Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)-Linked Government Hope For Strong Ties With Lebanon And Jordan; Call On Russia And China To Support Rebels; Promise Not To Use Captured Weapons Of Mass Destruction

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DPA Thanks Countries Including Lebanon And Jordan For Helping Syrian Refugees, Hoping For Strong Relations

On December 6, 2024, the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) in the HTS-linked Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) issued an Arabic-language statement to the people of Lebanon, asserting that they too have suffered from the Assad regime, including receiving many Syrian refugees, and that "this crisis is about to end" as the refuges will return to Syria. The statement wished for "a new future based on diplomatic relations," and urged the Lebanese people to not "be drawn into desperate calls from regional parties to engage in a confrontation that is not yours."[1]

On December 7, the DPA issued an Arabic-language statement to the country of Jordan thanking it for accepting many Syrian refugees during the war and claiming that the end "of Assad's corruption" is coming. The statement expressed hope for "strengthened relations between our two countries in a way that achieves strategic partnerships."[2]

A day later, on December 8, the DPA issued an Arabic-language statement congratulating the fighters' achievements in the Homs governorate and thanking the countries that "respect the will of the Syrian people" and "refuse to support the Assad regime."[3]

Message To Russian And Chinese Nationals In Syria That They Will Be Protected, Call For Russia And China To Support Syrian Revolution

The DPA issued a December 6 statement in Arabic, Russian and Chinese addressed to "the people of China and Russia," promising that "the battle in Syria" is not against "any foreign country or its citizens" and that they will be protected. The statement further called on China and Russia "to support the will of the Syrian people to liberate their country from injustice and tyranny," establish joint diplomatic relations and cooperate for the "common interests of all parties."[4]

Call For International Community To Protect Detainees From Regime Vengeance, Assurance That Rebels Will Not Use Captured WMDs

On December 7, the DPA issued an Arabic-language statement to the international community, humanitarian organizations and anyone concerned about human rights in Syria, asserting that due to the fall of the Assad regime, the latter might "commit massacres against political detainees, activists and opponents or liquidate them," and that they have evidence of "serious violations committed by the regime." The statement added that the SSG holds the international community responsible for protecting Syrian lives and the Syrian regime "for any crimes that might be committed." It demanded pressuring the regime to release all detainees and "to provide an international monitoring mechanism to ensure their safety before our forces arrive to liberate them."[5]

That same day, the DPA issued an Arabic-language statement claiming that the Assad regime had attacked, on multiple occasions, Syrian civilians using chemical weapons, and assuring the international community that it has no intention of using the regime's chemical weapons or any weapons of mass destruction. The statement further claimed that the SSG will guard the regime's military sites and weapons "with the utmost responsibility," adding that it is ready to cooperate with the international community "in everything related to monitoring weapons and sensitive sites" and expressing its commitment to "achieve peace, security and stability."[6]

Promises To Protect Christians, Build Relations With Neighboring Countries

Tthe DPA issued a December 7 Arabic-language statement to Christians in The Wadi Al-Nasara area of Hama governorate and Homs governorate, assuring them that they would not be harmed as they are "part of the Syrian national fabric." The statement called on these Christians to not "stand with the criminal regime and deepen the human suffering of our people."[7]

Following the capture of Damascus on December 8, the DPA published several posts on its Telegram channel expressing that "the liberation of Syria is a victory for all its people who sacrificed for the unity of the land and the people." The DPA promised to strengthen the unity and the principles of justice and dignity among all the factions of Syrian society, and to make a plan ensuring that life returns to normal. The organization called on all Syrian refugees to come back to Syria to build "a future," asserting that it "looks forward to strengthening its relations with all brotherly and friendly countries on the basis of mutual respect and common interests," and "achieving lasting peace and restoring the social fabric." It added: "We will set priorities for developing vital sectors, creating job opportunities, and encouraging national and international investments," vowing that Syria will be "a state of law."[8]

Since the beginning of the operation to remove the Assad regime, the DPA has released similar statements asserting its commitment to protect all minorities in Syria and achieving regional peace.[9]