TRANSCRIPT
U-S Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging Syria's new leadership to uphold women’s and minority rights, prevent extremist influence, and avoid actions that could escalate violence.
Speaking as he left Jordan for Turkiye on Thursday [[12 December]], he described this time as both a significant opportunity and considerable risk for Syria and the region.
"We're back in the region at a time of both real promise but also peril for Syria and for its neighbours. And the focus of our work here is to coordinate efforts across the region to support the Syrian people as they transition away from (Bashar) Assad's brutal dictatorship. I think, as we look at it, it's important to start here in Jordan because few countries have been as affected by what goes on in Syria as Jordan, but also because Jordan has a critical role to play in supporting the Syrian people in this transition."
Mr Blinken met President Tayyip Erdogan at Ankara's Esenboga Airport after visiting Jordan on his first regional trip since Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's ousting on the 8th of December.
The U-S State Department confirmed discussions in Turkiye would focus on Syria, counterterrorism, and regional stability.
Meanwhile, clashes continue between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed Syrian National Army in northern Syria.
Mr Blinken previously described US support for the SDF as critical.
This comes as hundreds marched through central Damascus on Thursday to honour Mazen al-Hamada, a prominent anti-government activist whose body was found following President Bashar Al-Assad fled his country for Moscow.
Among those protesting is Mr-al-Hamada's sister, Amal.
She details the brutality her brother suffered.
“He is the witness to their crimes. A witness and a martyr. In his first detention, they had extinguished cigarettes in his body, passed nails through his legs, that went in from one side and came from the other. His fingers were broken. Even internally, they had messed with him. See how far they could go. These people are criminals, beasts.”
Meanwhile, an American who had been held for several months in a Syrian prison has been freed after rebels overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Travis Timmerman was found by residents near the capital, Damascus, after walking free from jail earlier this week.
He said he had been detained seven months ago after crossing into the country by foot on a pilgrimage.
Mr Timmerman credits a local man for helping him.
“I was helped by a Syrian man named Elie, and he helped me and a young woman who lives in Damascus, get out of the prison immediately. ... Question: And who are these two individuals? ... These men I met this morning as I walked to the southwest of Damascus. As I headed toward Jordan.”
Mr Timmerman was reportedly among thousands freed from Syria's notorious prisons after rebels captured Damascus, overthrowing President Bashar Assad and ending 54 years of his family's rule.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist group leading the offensive, confirmed it had secured Mr Timmerman’s release.
He had been reported as missing in May, having last been seen in the Hungarian capital, Budapest.
This comes as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U-S national security adviser Jake Sullivan discussed the situation in Syria during a meeting in Jerusalem.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer.
“This morning's Jerusalem meeting between the prime minister and U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, together with his team, regional developments in Syria were obviously discussed, and Israel will do whatever is necessary to protect our security from any threat. That was the reason the government mandated our security forces to temporarily take control of the buffer zone between Israel and Syria until an effective force is established to enforce the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement. The Prime Minister raised the vital need to assist minorities in Syria, to assist minorities in Syria, and prevent terrorist activity from Syrian territory against Israel."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video message addressed to the Iranian people Thursday celebrating the weakening of what he calls the Iran regime's axis of terror.
"People of Iran as we see history unfold before our very eyes, I can only imagine what you're feeling right now. Your oppressor spent over $30 billion supporting Assad in Syria. Today after only 11 days of fighting, his regime collapsed into the dust. Your oppressor spent billions supporting Hamas in Gaza, today, their regime lies in ruins. Your oppressor spent over $20 billion supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon in a matter of weeks, most of Hezbollah's leaders, its rockets and thousands of its terrorists went up in smoke. "
Mr Netanyahu raised the need to "support minorities in Syria" and "prevent terrorist activity from Syrian territory against Israel.
