Syria's Transition: Al-Scharaa's Vision for Reform

Ahmed al-Scharaa, leader of the HTS rebel group, envisions a new era for Syria marked by the drafting of a constitution followed by elections. This process is expected to span four years, with three years dedicated to drafting the constitution and another year before elections can occur. Al-Scharaa's vision includes the dissolution of his own HTS militia, a group with a controversial history linked to Al-Qaeda and accused of human rights abuses.

Al-Scharaa aims to integrate Kurdish forces into a future Syrian military and sees strategic partnerships with Russia as vital. He advocates for a national dialogue conference, allowing citizens to voice their opinions, and hopes for the lifting of US sanctions. His plans also involve significant restructuring of Syria's feared security agencies, historically associated with the Assad regime's oppressive practices.

The transitional government, led by al-Scharaa, has taken firm action by arresting over 300 suspects, including former regime loyalists and informants. Lebanon has cooperated by handing over approximately 70 suspects to Syrian security forces. Meanwhile, the international community remains cautious, given the HTS's past and its classification as a terrorist organization by the UN, the US, and the EU.

Recent operations have resulted in the capture of Damascus and the fall of Assad's regime, with Assad reportedly fleeing to Russia. The new leadership faces the challenge of addressing the legacy of violence while steering the nation towards peace and stability. Al-Scharaa's roadmap, while ambitious, seeks to address these issues head-on, promising drastic changes within a year.