US Ambassador to the UN: Washington No Longer Emphasizes the Ouster of Bashar al-Assad

Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, announced that Washington no longer emphasizes the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power but is seeking a way to end the Syrian civil war. According to AFP, Ms. Haley stated on Thursday, April 10, in front of reporters: "You choose your battlefield. And with such a perspective, sometimes your priorities change. Our priority is no longer to focus on Bashar al-Assad's departure." These remarks came hours after Rex Tillerson, the US Secretary of State, also indirectly hinted at a change in Washington's position regarding Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria. Mr. Tillerson, who was attending a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara, stated: "I think... it is the Syrian people who will decide the long-term position of Bashar al-Assad." The previous US administration had based its strategy regarding Syria on the ousting of Bashar al-Assad from power, but the Donald Trump administration focuses more on defeating ISIS in Iraq and Syria, as Tillerson had also stated that this issue is a priority for Washington. Nikki Haley, referring to this change in strategy, said: "We cannot necessarily focus on Assad in the same way as the previous administration. Do we think he is an obstacle? Yes. Do we want to focus on his departure? No." According to her, the US also intends to close off Iran's avenues of influence, which supports Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war. The US Ambassador to the UN ultimately stated that the United States will cooperate with other countries involved in the Syrian war, such as Turkey, to achieve a long-term solution to end the Syrian war.