Syria Elections May Take Four Years, Says HTS Leader

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria, has announced that elections in Syria could take up to four years. In his first public remarks on the timeline since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, Sharaa outlined a roadmap for rebuilding the nation.

Timeline for Elections and Reforms

During an interview with Al Arabiya, Sharaa revealed that drafting a new constitution could take up to three years. He emphasized that Syrians would begin to see significant changes within a year.

Sharaa leads the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which played a pivotal role in the removal of Assad on December 8, marking the end of decades of Assad family rule and a 13-year civil war. He announced plans to dissolve HTS during a national dialogue conference, signaling a move towards inclusive governance.

Syria’s Foreign Relations and Strategic Interests

On international ties, Sharaa highlighted Syria’s strategic interests with Russia. Russia, a close ally of the Assad regime, maintains military bases in Syria and granted asylum to Bashar al-Assad after his ousting. Sharaa reaffirmed the importance of maintaining mutually beneficial relations with Russia.

He also expressed hopes for a policy shift from the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump. Sharaa called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria, suggesting a more pragmatic approach to U.S.-Syria relations. Senior U.S. diplomats who recently visited Damascus described Sharaa as pragmatic and confirmed that Washington has removed the $10 million bounty previously placed on his head.

A New Era for Syria

The transition marks a significant turning point for Syria as it rebuilds after years of civil war. Sharaa’s vision includes a focus on constitutional reform, national dialogue, and improved international relations. The dissolution of HTS signals a move towards broader political participation and reconciliation.