In a historic moment, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, leader of Syrian Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, delivered a victory speech at the iconic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. Addressing a crowd of supporters, al-Julani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, declared that Syria had entered a new chapter in its history after 13 years of brutal conflict.
“This victory, my brothers, is a victory for the entire Islamic nation,” he proclaimed. “It follows the sacrifices of the martyrs, the widows, and the orphans who endured unimaginable suffering.”
Al-Assad, who fled to Russia earlier that day, was at the helm of Syria for over two decades, continuing his family’s authoritarian rule. The HTS-led offensive, which culminated in Damascus on December 8, 2024, ended his grip on power.
Reclaiming Syria: “We Are the Rightful Owners”
Al-Julani emphasized that the victory belonged to the Syrian people, whom he described as the rightful owners of the country. He acknowledged the hardships endured by millions displaced by the war, including those living in refugee camps and the many who lost their lives attempting to flee.
“How many people were displaced across the world? How many drowned in the seas?” he asked the crowd. “Today, we have been rewarded with this victory by the grace of God Almighty.”
Al-Julani also called for prayers of gratitude while urging his supporters to avoid celebratory gunfire, citing its potential to alarm civilians.
Denouncing Iranian Influence and Corruption
In his address, the HTS leader criticized foreign intervention in Syria, particularly targeting Iran’s involvement and its support for the Assad regime. He accused the regime of allowing Syria to become a “playground for Iranian ambitions” and a hub for sectarian division and corruption.
“Syria became the largest factory of Captagon in the world,” he said, referencing the Assad regime’s role in manufacturing and trafficking the illicit amphetamine. “Today, Syria is being purified by the grace of God.”
Al-Julani pledged that the new Syria would be free from foreign control, signaling a departure from the influence of Iran and its ally Hezbollah.
Unity in the Face of Challenges
Despite HTS being designated as a terrorist group by the U.S., EU, and Turkiye, al-Julani’s speech focused on unity and reconciliation. He urged Syrians to prioritize rebuilding their nation without vengeance.
“There should not be vengeance,” he said. “Syria is for all Syrians. Building a new country will be hard work, but together we can make it a beacon for the Islamic nation.”
A New Chapter for the Middle East
The HTS offensive capitalized on shifts in the geopolitical landscape, including Russia’s preoccupation with its war in Ukraine and the weakening of Iranian and Hezbollah forces due to regional conflicts. The victory marked a turning point, ending over half a century of Assad family rule and altering the balance of power in the region.
“This new triumph, my brothers, marks a new chapter in the history of the region,” al-Julani concluded. “We will not stop fighting until all the rights of the great Syrian people are secured.”
As Damascus wakes to a transformed political landscape, al-Julani’s words have set the tone for a fragile yet hopeful future for a nation scarred by years of war.
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