Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
As Syrians celebrate the demise of a tyrant, there may not be an obvious successor to take over

As Syrians celebrate the demise of a tyrant, there may not be an obvious successor to take over

CBC
Monday, December 9, 2024 7:28 AM GMT

Among the many moments of celebration across Syria on Sunday, the scene at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus may be remembered as one of the most significant.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who led his opposition forces out of Idlib province and in just 11 days dealt the fatal blows that drove President Bashar al-Assad from office, stood in front of a cheering audience.

"This will be a new victory for the entire Islamic nation, this will be a new historic victory for the region," al-Golani said as those in the crowd pumped their fists.

But precisely what al-Golani, 42, a one-time adherent to al-Qaeda whose group remains listed as a terrorist entity by many Western nations, has in mind for Syria — and whether he can retain control of the dynamic situation — are among the many unknowns now confronting Syrians.

Assad and his father before him ruled the country for more than 50 years, killing or imprisoning anyone who challenged the family dynasty.

Humanitarian groups say Assad's forces murdered more than 300,000 opponents and imprisoned countless thousands more in the aftermath of the Arab Spring protests of 2011.

Even in cities such as Latakia, which remained loyal to Assad, there were celebrations, suggesting there is widespread relief that he is finally gone. But what kind of government or leader he should be replaced with was always going to be contentious.

Al-Golani's remarkable success at spearheading the military take-out of Assad's Syrian Arab Army now puts him at the forefront of the people being talked about as a possible successor.

"I think it's a new era," said Fawaz Gerges, a Middle East analyst at the London School of Economics.

"Syria could go two ways. It could descend sadly and tragically into all-out social, political and ethnic violence or could basically begin the process of social healing."

Whether al-Golani is positioning himself to be that healer remains to be seen, but already he's shown himself to be adept at the kind of public relations the job would require.

In the hours after HTS seized Syria's second-largest city, Aleppo, he reportedly issued orders that there were to be no recriminations against supporters of Assad, nor should minorities feel threatened.

In an interview with CNN, he wore a plain green military uniform devoid of any overt religious symbols, and said his only goal was to rid the country of Assad.

A social media post by HTS even referred to him by his given name, Ahmad Al-Shar'a, rather than by his nom de guerre.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Israel recovers bodies of Canadian Israeli Judih Weinstein Haggai and husband held by Hamas

Israel's military recovered the bodies of two hostages, Canadian Israeli Judih Weinstein Haggai and her husband, Israeli American Gadi Haggai, who were held by Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.

Trump signs order to ban visitors from 12 countries starting Monday

U.S. President Donald Trump resurrected a hallmark policy of his first term, announcing that citizens of 12 countries would be banned from visiting the United States and those from seven others would face restrictions.

Ukraine strikes Crimean bridge, Russia launches deadly strike in Sumy

Senior Ukrainian officials visited Washington on Tuesday seeking U.S. support against Russia while accusing Moscow of dragging its feet in peace talks.

Throne speech was an 'emotional moment' for the King, Buckingham Palace says

Some observant royal watchers thought King Charles looked emotional at times throughout his trip to Canada last week — and a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirms to CBC News that the normally stoic monarch found delivering the throne speech to be a particularly poignant moment.

In using cheap drones to take out prized Russian bombers, Ukraine sends a defiant message

Ukraine's audacious drone attack on Russian airfields on Sunday, including some thousands of kilometres from the front line, was carefully co-ordinated and executed to send a clear message to Moscow, as well as to those who doubt Kyiv's ability to inflict significant damage more than three years into Russia's invasion. 

Russia is using its army to try and take more of Ukraine. It's using its passports to control the population

For more than three years, every time 67-year-old Iryna and her husband stepped beyond their front door, the Ukrainian couple feared for their lives.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us