Biden takes credit for collapsing Syria’s Assad

(MENAFN) Outgoing US President Joe Biden has claimed responsibility for the recent collapse of the Syrian government in Damascus, which fell to a coalition of opposition groups, including jihadists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Biden attributed the success to the weakening of Assad’s key supporters, including Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia, under US pressure during his presidency.

In a video address from the White House, Biden described the fall of Damascus as a “fundamental act of justice” and a “historic opportunity” for Syria's long-suffering population. He argued that the collapse of Assad's main backers—Russia, Hezbollah, and Iran—was due to their declining influence, which he claimed was a direct result of US policies.

The Syrian civil war, which started in 2011, has involved foreign-backed Islamist factions, with HTS (formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, an Al-Qaeda affiliate) playing a key role among the opposition forces. The war escalated with the rise of ISIS in 2014, further complicating the situation. Biden noted the importance of US sanctions, military presence, and support for Kurdish militias, which denied Assad control over key resources like oil fields and fertile lands.

Biden also emphasized that the US remained cautious of HTS, acknowledging their history of terrorism and human rights abuses. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed concerns about the group's past actions, noting that HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani, who has a $10 million bounty on his head, was linked to atrocities such as kidnappings and massacres.

Biden’s remarks echoed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s sentiment that US policies have shifted the balance of power in the Middle East, creating new opportunities in the region, including for Syria’s future.

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