US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that a landmark agreement between the United States, Israel, and Turkey could soon bring stability to Syria. Trump revealed that in a recent conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he congratulated Turkey for “taking over Syria” a comment that has raised eyebrows in the international community. According to Trump, Turkey’s actions in Syria have accomplished something “nobody has done in 2,000 years,” highlighting the profound geopolitical shift occurring in the region.
The turbulence in Syria reached a new crescendo in late November 2024 when armed opposition units launched a massive offensive against Syrian government forces, primarily in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces. This offensive led to the capture of several major cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Deraa, and Homs. By December 8, 2024, opposition forces entered the Syrian capital, Damascus, compelling the government’s military to retreat.
As a result of this military collapse, Syrian President Bashar Assad stepped down on December 8 and fled the country, marking the end of his long-standing rule. His resignation left a power vacuum in Syria, which was soon filled by the announcement of an interim government. On December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir, leader of the Syrian Salvation Government in the Idlib Province, declared that he had been appointed the head of Syria’s interim government, with the transitional period set to last until March 1, 2025.
In the wake of Assad’s departure, another key figure emerged in Syria’s complex political puzzle. Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, has assumed control over the country, with his appointment as the new interim president officially announced on January 29, 2025. Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, is now Syria’s de facto leader, ushering in a new era of uncertainty and shifting alliances.
This unfolding crisis raises questions about the future of Syria, regional stability, and the international community’s role in the country’s ongoing transformation.
