Syria’s embassy in Lebanon has halted consular services after two relatives of Bashar Assad were arrested for alleged passport forgery. This follows the handover of dozens of Syrians, including former army officers, to the Syrian regime. The situation highlights the tensions between HTS and Assad’s supporters, alongside growing regional interests in the new Syrian authorities.
The Syrian embassy in Lebanon announced a suspension of consular services following the arrest of two relatives of former Syrian President Bashar Assad at Beirut airport for allegedly possessing forged passports. This suspension occurs amidst the handover of 70 Syrians, including former Syrian army officers, to Syria’s new authorities, precipitating concerns over escalating tensions and potential human rights violations under the new regime led by the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
On the same day, the embassy’s announcement on its social media platform did not disclose specific reasons for the service suspension but was believed to be linked to the alleged forgery of the passports belonging to Assad’s relatives. Notably, it was reported that Rifaat Assad, the uncle of the former president, managed to leave the country without issue.
HTS has reportedly established control over significant territories, prompting the Lebanese authorities to cooperate with the new government by transferring detained individuals who entered Lebanon illegally. This shift in power in Syria has attracted the attention of regional actors, with official delegations from Libya and Bahrain visiting Damascus to forge new diplomatic ties.
Tensions persist within Syria, particularly between HTS forces and pro-Assad militias, as well as ongoing clashes in the northeastern regions between Kurdish-led groups and Turkish-backed armed factions. Kurdish activists have expressed fears that the new governance may marginalize women, evident in protests aimed at advocating for women’s rights in the evolving political landscape.
In recent developments in Syria, the power dynamics have shifted to the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has taken over control of several regions previously held by pro-Assad forces. This transition has been met with mixed reactions from various social groups, particularly among Kurdish communities who introspect their political representation and rights. Concurrently, the Syrian embassy’s actions in Lebanon reflect the ongoing tensions stemming from the legacy of the Assad regime and concerns regarding the treatment of former military personnel and civilians involved with the prior administration. The diplomatic relations of regional countries with the new Syrian authorities reveal underlying geopolitical interests and the complexities of the Syrian conflict’s resolution.
The suspension of services at Syria’s embassy in Lebanon signals significant political shifts following the arrests of Assad’s relatives under contentious circumstances. The ongoing handover of Syrians to HTS-led authorities and the emergence of regional diplomatic engagement underscore the evolving nature of the conflict. However, these changes raise critical issues regarding governance, human rights, and the political role of women in the new regime, as concerns persist over the direction of Syria’s future in light of its recent history.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
