Syrian Ambassador's Revelations on Past Regime
In a striking address at the Syrian embassy in Moscow, Bashar al-Jaafari, the Syrian Ambassador to Russia, asserted that Syria was not governed by a legitimate system during the presidency of Bashar al-Assad, but rather by a corrupt mafia network. This revelation comes in the wake of significant political changes in Syria, particularly following the recent takeover of Damascus by various Syrian factions on December 8, 2024, which marked the end of 61 years of Baath Party rule and 53 years of Assad family dominance.
Al-Jaafari emphasized that the absence of a true regime contributed to the rapid downfall of the Assad administration, stating, "If there had been a regime, it would have defended itself. Rather, there was a corrupt mafia system that mortgaged the country's interests to serve its personal interests." He urged the Syrian community in Moscow to embrace the recent changes and work towards a future characterized by prosperity, peace, and reconstruction.
Call for Unity and Reconstruction
During his speech, Al-Jaafari called for unity among the Syrian people, encouraging them to avoid chaos and learn from the past mistakes that led to the country's turmoil. He highlighted the importance of building a nation that serves all Syrians, stressing that the employees in embassies and state institutions should not be blamed for the previous regime's failures. Al-Jaafari's remarks reflect a significant shift in the narrative surrounding the Assad regime, as he called upon the Syrian community to celebrate the changes and work towards a collective future.