President Joe Biden has offered a detailed plan for how the United States can aid Syria after the dramatic collapse of Assad’s regime.
This plan aims to provide support to the region during a period of significant upheaval.
Speaking from the White House, Biden called this development a “moment of risk” but also a “moment of opportunity.”
He expressed hope that Syria’s people can envision a future of prosperity and stability.
With the current uncertainties, Biden emphasized that the U.S. will work in collaboration with Syrian partners to navigate these opportunities and challenges.
“It’s imperative for us to aid Syria’s neighboring countries, such as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel, if they face any threats from Syria during this transitional phase,” Biden stated during his speech.
Biden revealed plans to converse with regional leaders soon and noted that U.S. officials will be deployed to support the region firsthand.
With live updates indicating Assad has fled to Moscow after Syrian rebels seized Damascus, the U.S. remains committed to maintaining order in eastern Syria.
This includes protecting American personnel and continuing the mission against ISIS.
Preventing ISIS from reemerging is a top priority for the U.S., Biden affirmed, stressing, “We are fully aware that ISIS might attempt to exploit any power vacuum, but we are prepared to prevent their resurgence.”
Biden mentioned efforts to secure detention centers where ISIS fighters are imprisoned and highlighted several “precise strikes” targeting ISIS in Syria.
The Biden administration intends to engage with various Syrian groups as the nation shifts toward a new governance model.
He mentioned, “In cooperation with the United Nations, we will work with all factions to form a government representative of the entire Syrian populace, marking a shift from the Assad rule.”
“This transformation must be sculpted by the Syrian people,” Biden continued. “The United States vows to offer full support, including humanitarian aid, to help Syria recover from more than a decade of conflict and brutality under Assad.”
The president cautioned that the U.S. will maintain a watchful eye over rebel groups’ activities. Recently, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a key rebel faction, was labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S.
Biden remarked, “We’ve noted positive declarations from rebel leaders lately, but as they assume more responsibility, we will scrutinize their actions as much as their rhetoric.”
