End of al-Assad's 54-year rule: Syrian feminist views on the transitional phase On December 8, 2024, Syria entered a new political era after 54 years of the al-Assad family rule. The liberation battle that started from the North ended with power placed in the hands of Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda-linked militant group. While the end of the al-Assad era sparked widespread optimism, early formal statements from the new rulers raised concerns, particularly regarding women’s rights.
Can Assad be a partner in the fight against ISIS? “It must be now clear to western defence chiefs that there is only one credible fighting force on the ground capable of fighting ISIS and that is the Syrian military. The Syrians [i.e. the Syrian regime] have held all the aces up their sleeve…” Such proposals are commonplace in diplomatic circles, but what is new this time is that this view is no longer limited to Assad’s supporters and allies. By Haid Haid
