Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa announced on Sunday that all weapons will come under state control, effective immediately. As part of the new structure, armed factions will dissolve and enter the national army, with Sharaa vowing to prevent any “weapons in the country outside state control”.
Sharaa made the statement during a press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who advocated for lifting sanctions on Syria. The move is seen as a major shift, with implications for Turkey’s relationship with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.
The Turkish diplomat highlighted the importance of lifting sanctions, stating that the international community must mobilize to help Syria recover and repatriate displaced people. Sharaa also called for an end to sanctions, emphasizing the need for unity among sects and minorities.
This move comes as Turkey views the main component of the US-backed force as being linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), its outlawed domestic foe. Fidan’s comments suggest that US president-elect Donald Trump may have viewed Turkey as a more important ally, given its NATO membership.
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241222-syria-s-new-leader-ahmed-al-sharaa-says-state-to-control-all-weapons