Syria’s caretaker President Ahmad al-Shara’a is attempting to gain legitimacy through diplomacy with regional powers while facing internal challenges. Despite meetings with Qatari, Saudi, and Turkish officials, there is no clear plan for political transition or integration of armed factions. Rising violence and public discontent highlight the complexities ahead for the new government.
On February 8, 2025, Syria’s caretaker President Ahmad al-Shara’a has made notable diplomatic strides by meeting with officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. These engagements signify an external push for legitimacy, although the internal political transition remains unclear. The absence of specific integration plans for armed factions and the upcoming National Dialogue Conference casts doubt on future developments in Syria.
Al-Shara’a, formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, has sought to enhance his government’s standing through high-level discussions with regional leaders. While these efforts reflect a desire for stability among neighboring states, critics have expressed concerns that the HTS-led reforms are not rooted in genuine political change but rather in military decisions.
There has been strong opposition from the Self Administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who argued that significant political reforms should follow a thorough national dialogue conference that represents a diverse array of Syrian voices. The SDF’s absence at the conference underscores tensions between them and the new caretaker authorities.
On the security front, the caretaker government continues to grapple with escalating violence, including incidents of revenge attacks and armed group activities. A notable attack occurred in rural Latakia, resulting in casualties among HTS-led security forces, while several sectarian attacks have also been reported, leading to increasing public unrest and criticism of the caretakers’ handling of security.
In summary, the situation in Syria remains precarious as the caretaker government seeks external legitimacy through diplomatic relations, while internal governance and security challenges proliferate. The resistance from significant factions like the SDF indicates deeper divides within Syrian society, complicating efforts for a cohesive political path forward. Continued violence, public backlash, and calls for genuine transitional reforms suggest that Syria remains far from stability.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
