Biden says Assad’s fall in Syria is a ’fundamental act of justice,’ but ’a moment of risk’

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, at the White House, in Washington, U.S., December 8, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

President Joe Biden said on Sunday (December 8, 2024) that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is a “fundamental act of justice” after decades of repression, but it was “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Mideast.

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Speaking at the White House, Mr. Biden said the U.S. was not sure of Assad’s whereabouts, but was monitoring reports he was seeking refuge in Moscow.

Mr. Biden credited action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said “for the first time” that they could no longer defend Assad’s grip on power.

“Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” Mr. Biden said.

Mr. Biden added that United States would engage with “all Syrian groups” over the political transition after the fall of president Bashar al-Assad.

“We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward independent, sovereign” Syria “with a new constitution.”

Joe Biden also warned that some of the rebel groups that ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad have “their own grim record of terrorism,” adding that Washington would assess if they had moderated.

“Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses,” Biden said in an address from the White House.

Mr. Biden added that the United States had “taken note” of recent statements by rebels suggesting they had since moderated, cautioning “we will assess not just their words, but their actions.”

The sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is forcing the Biden administration and the incoming Trump team to confront intensifying questions about the possibility of greater conflicts across the Middle East.