President Joe Biden described the sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria as a “fundamental act of justice,” marking the end of decades of repression. However, he also acknowledged that the situation presents “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Middle East.
Speaking from the White House, Biden confirmed that rebel groups had successfully overtaken Syria, following over a dozen years of civil war and Assad’s decades-long rule. He added that the United States was closely monitoring reports on Assad’s whereabouts, with Russian state media suggesting he had fled to Moscow and received asylum from his ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In the wake of the fall of Assad’s regime, Biden credited U.S. efforts and those of its allies for weakening the Syrian government’s backers, including Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. He said the balance of power in the Middle East had shifted, with the once-powerful Assad no longer able to rely on these forces for support.
President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Assad’s departure was due to Putin losing interest in protecting him. Trump reiterated his stance against U.S. military intervention in Syria, declaring, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT.” However, the Biden administration has ruled out any military intervention.
The U.S. currently has about 900 troops stationed in Syria, working alongside Kurdish forces in the northeast to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State (IS) group. On Sunday, Biden confirmed that U.S. forces conducted precision airstrikes on IS targets, hitting more than 75 sites. He reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to ensuring ISIS does not take advantage of the power vacuum.
Despite the defeat of Assad’s regime, the groups leading the opposition include Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization due to its ties to al-Qaeda, although the group claims to have severed ties. Biden acknowledged the potential threat from these rebel groups, highlighting their own records of terrorism and human rights abuses.
The situation in Syria remains fluid, and Biden emphasized that the U.S. would continue to monitor events, including the fate of American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in 2012. Biden reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to securing Tice’s release, despite lacking direct evidence that he is still alive.
As the Middle East braces for further instability, Biden underscored the need for coordinated international efforts to address the ongoing challenges in Syria and the broader region.