Biden Takes Credit for Ousting Syria's Assad
President Joe Biden has expressed his support for the ousting of the Assad government in Syria. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Outgoing US President Joe Biden has asserted responsibility for the capture of Damascus by a coalition of armed groups, including jihadists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. He stated that the United States had effectively weakened the backers of former Syrian President Bashar Assad.
In a video address from the White House on Sunday, Biden characterized the rapid offensive by anti-government militants over the past two weeks as a “fundamental act of justice” and a “moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering citizens of Syria.”
Biden noted, “For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, [the Lebanese-based militant movement] Hezbollah, and Russia. But over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them. Because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office.”
Since 2011, Washington has sought Assad’s ouster in response to mass protests that escalated into a devastating civil war, during which foreign-armed Islamist groups became prominent among anti-government factions. HTS, which played a key role in taking control of Damascus on Sunday, was previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in Syria. The situation worsened further in 2014 with the rise of the terrorist group Islamic State, which became a significant regional threat amid the breakdown of security in Syria.
In his address, Biden emphasized the sanctions imposed on Syria, the US military's presence in the country, and support for Kurdish militias in the northeast, which have restricted Damascus’s access to valuable agricultural lands and oil fields. He also mentioned the US backing of Israel in its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as its confrontations with Iran.
“Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” Biden remarked, echoing sentiments expressed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He stated that the US strategy—a blend of partner support, sanctions, diplomacy, and targeted military action when necessary—has opened up new opportunities for the people of Syria and the broader region.
Biden conveyed that the US remains vigilant regarding HTS and its “grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” insisting that Washington would “assess not just their words, but their actions.” On the same day, Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, conveyed concerns about HTS’ history of violence and atrocities.
Abu Mohammed al-Julani, the current leader of HTS, has a $10 million bounty placed on him by the US since 2013, with the US government asserting that his fighters have been involved in kidnappings and massacres of civilians.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
In a video address from the White House on Sunday, Biden characterized the rapid offensive by anti-government militants over the past two weeks as a “fundamental act of justice” and a “moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering citizens of Syria.”
Biden noted, “For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, [the Lebanese-based militant movement] Hezbollah, and Russia. But over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them. Because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office.”
Since 2011, Washington has sought Assad’s ouster in response to mass protests that escalated into a devastating civil war, during which foreign-armed Islamist groups became prominent among anti-government factions. HTS, which played a key role in taking control of Damascus on Sunday, was previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in Syria. The situation worsened further in 2014 with the rise of the terrorist group Islamic State, which became a significant regional threat amid the breakdown of security in Syria.
In his address, Biden emphasized the sanctions imposed on Syria, the US military's presence in the country, and support for Kurdish militias in the northeast, which have restricted Damascus’s access to valuable agricultural lands and oil fields. He also mentioned the US backing of Israel in its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as its confrontations with Iran.
“Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” Biden remarked, echoing sentiments expressed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He stated that the US strategy—a blend of partner support, sanctions, diplomacy, and targeted military action when necessary—has opened up new opportunities for the people of Syria and the broader region.
Biden conveyed that the US remains vigilant regarding HTS and its “grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” insisting that Washington would “assess not just their words, but their actions.” On the same day, Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, conveyed concerns about HTS’ history of violence and atrocities.
Abu Mohammed al-Julani, the current leader of HTS, has a $10 million bounty placed on him by the US since 2013, with the US government asserting that his fighters have been involved in kidnappings and massacres of civilians.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
