Leader of 'Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham' Calls for 'Reassessment' of Iranian Interventions in the Region

According to Ahmad al-Shara, who effectively leads the newly established government in Damascus, Syria will maintain close relations with all countries, including Saudi Arabia and even Russia, but separates Iran from this equation as long as Tehran's 'interventionist' approach continues. He also stated that holding elections in Syria could take four years. On Sunday, January 9, in an interview with Al Arabiya and Al Hadath networks, al-Shara expressed hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran would 'reassess its interventions in the region and reconsider its policies.' Referring to statements from Iranian officials regarding developments in Syria, he said, 'We expected to hear positive statements from Iran,' adding that 'a large segment of the people want Iran to play a positive role in the region.' Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, essentially denied the existence of Iranian proxy forces in Syria or the region in his last speech following Bashar al-Assad's flight, claiming there was 'no need' for them. Meanwhile, he expressed confidence in the 'emergence of a strong honorable group in Syria.' This statement from the Iranian leader has been interpreted as an order to Iranian institutions to create chaos in Syria in opposition to the new government in Damascus. Ahmad al-Shara, who has changed his official title to Commander of the 'Syrian Military Operations Administration' following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, stated regarding the closure of bases and offices of Iranian-affiliated forces and militias in Syria that 'we have fulfilled our duty as a government regarding these Iranian centers.' Ahmad al-Shara, known by his combat name Abu Muhammad al-Julani, has commanded the Islamist rebels of 'Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham' for eight years in Idlib province and has been considered the de facto leader of Syria since December 18, following his forces' arrival in Damascus and Bashar al-Assad's flight to Russia. The Arab League has warned Iran not to exacerbate the conflict among the Syrian people. In his interview with Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, al-Shara stated, 'It was not he, but the people of Syria who liberated their country,' and he and the armed groups attempted to ensure a smooth transition of power, asserting that the liberation of Syria is 'a guarantee of security for the region and the Gulf area for the next 50 years.' He noted that the people of Syria liberated their country themselves, and the United Nations under Bashar al-Assad's regime could not even release a single prisoner or return a single refugee. Al-Shara further announced, 'Saudi Arabia is seeking stability in Syria, has great opportunities in Syria, and will play an important role in the future of this country.' A Saudi diplomatic delegation met with Ahmad al-Shara in Damascus last week. According to him, holding elections in Syria could take more than four years. For the first time, al-Shara commented on the timing of the elections in Syria, which he promised to form an 'inclusive government.' He stated that drafting a new constitution could take up to three years. Al-Shara also made his first public comments regarding Russia and the two Russian air and naval bases in Syria, stating that the new government does not want Russia to exit in a way that 'is not worthy of long-term relations with Syria.' Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, stated on January 6 that the new Syrian government has described its relations with Russia as long-term and strategic, and Moscow is also a partner in this assessment and is ready to cooperate with this government on regional issues. Al-Shara expressed hope that Donald Trump would lift sanctions against Syria. The elected U.S. President has not shown much interest in engaging with the new rulers of Syria. A diplomatic delegation from the Biden administration met with Ahmad al-Shara in Damascus two weeks ago. Thousands of Iranian military forces and their allies left Syria last month following the advance of 'Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham' towards Damascus, failing to accomplish their main mission of preserving Bashar al-Assad's government. Over the past 13 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has dispatched numerous forces from Iran, Hezbollah, and the 'Fatimiyoun' and 'Zainabiyoun' groups to Syria to support Bashar al-Assad. Opponents of the Assad regime have accused Iran of aiding in the suppression of protests and the massacre of people. Ahmad al-Shara also stated that the actions of the Islamic Republic are a form of 'historical revenge,' but this logic is unacceptable to the people of Syria.