By Sama Marwan,
Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara spoke about the transitional phase Syria is currently going through following the fall of the previous regime, pointing to the major challenges the government faces in rebuilding a country devastated by war and burdened by sanctions, as well as the complexities of the regional geopolitical situation.
Al-Shara explained that his government has entered negotiations with Turkey and Russia regarding their military presence on Syrian soil, indicating the possibility of continued military support from both countries to the Syrian authorities amidst the ongoing power struggle involving various international actors over the past years.
He noted that Turkey may seek to expand its influence further south through any new agreement, while Russia aims to maintain its military bases that were established during its support for the former regime. He emphasized that relations with Moscow are essential at this stage, given the military and technical support it has provided, especially in the energy sector, stressing that mutual interests must be considered.
In a different context, the Syrian President called on the United States to lift the sanctions imposed on the country, arguing that these sanctions were applied to the former regime and are no longer justified after the change in leadership. He clarified that their continuation hinders the government’s efforts to revive the economy and achieve stability, underlining the need to reconsider some of the conditions imposed by the U.S.
Regarding the presence of foreign military forces, he stressed that any presence on Syrian territory must comply with legal frameworks and national sovereignty. He affirmed his country’s rejection of any threat that might originate from its land towards other countries. He also hinted at the possibility of granting Syrian citizenship to some foreign fighters if they are integrated within the national framework under clear conditions.
