Syrian new gov forces announce control of Manbij, northeast of Aleppo
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The Syrian armed opposition coalition now has full control over Manbij in northeast Aleppo in Syria.
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Syrian opposition fighters hang out at the arrivals gate of the Aleppo International Airport in Aleppo, Syria, on December 2, 2024. (AP)
The Syrian armed opposition announced on Sunday that it had fully taken control of the city of Manbij, northeast of Aleppo, following clashes with Kurdish units. It also seized control of the city of Jableh, located near the Russian Hmeimim base in Latakia Governorate.
The Anadolu Agency reported that the new regime forces had captured 80% of the city, and announced their full control over several Syrian cities and the overthrow of Assad's rule. The continuation of the Syrian government under the supervision of Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali was also confirmed, until the transfer of power.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported today, quoting a senior official in the administration of outgoing President Joe Biden, that the latter is working to ensure stability in Syria.
It suggested that this leaves the door open for the opportunity for the United States to remove the factions of the new government which overthrew Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, from the terrorist list to deal with it more deeply.
On the same note, Senior British Minister Pat McFadden said on Monday that the United Kingdom may consider removing the proscribed status of HTS.
When asked if the British government would have to look again into the proscription of HTS, McFadden told Sky News, "We will consider that. And I think it will partly depend on what happens (next)."
It is worth noting that Hadi al-Bahra, the head of Syria's main opposition abroad, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Doha Forum on Sunday that Syria should undergo an 18-month transition period to create "a safe, neutral, and quiet environment" for free elections.
Al-Bahra, the president of the Syrian National Coalition, proposed that Syria should draft a new constitution within six months, with a referendum serving as the foundation for the first election under the new framework.
"The constitution will say, are we going to have a parliamentary system, presidential system, or mixed system? And based on this, we do the election and the people choose their leader," al-Bahra explained.
