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Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa calls for sanctions lift

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the new de facto leader of Syria and head of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), recently expressed that the country is weary from years of conflict and poses no threat to its neighbors or the West.

In a BBC interview, he urged for the lifting of sanctions, arguing they were aimed at the previous regime and should not affect the current circumstances.

Sharaa, who led the swift offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad’s regime, contended that HTS should be removed from terrorist designations, emphasizing that the group, which broke away from al-Qaeda in 2016, does not target civilians and sees itself as a victim of Assad’s regime.

He rejected comparisons between Syria and Afghanistan, citing cultural differences and advocating for women’s education, noting that over 60% of university students in Idlib are female. While he remained noncommittal on issues like alcohol consumption, he announced plans to establish a committee of legal experts to draft a new constitution.

Despite his reassurances, skepticism remains among Syrians regarding HTS’s commitment to reform. The actions of the new leadership in the coming months will be critical in determining Syria’s future direction and governance.

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