Assad regime’s fall opens ‘new historic phase’ for region, Syrian president says

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Monday that the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime has ushered in “a new historic phase for the region,” stressing that Syria today has “converging interests with the West and the United States.”

Speaking at a session titled “East Stage: Democracy, Security & Geopolitical Risk” with former CIA Director David Petraeus at the 2025 Concordia Annual Summit in New York, Sharaa warned that some parties are trying “to stir sectarian tensions in Syria, while others are settling their scores on Syrian soil.”

“Peaceful solutions must be reached and implemented swiftly, especially in the agreement with SDF on March 10,” he said.

“Restricting weapons to the hands of the state is what protects Syria from conflicts and unrest,” Sharaa said.

Syria “offered SDF to integrate into the Syria army, assured them that Kurdish rights are guaranteed, but there has been hesitation (on their part) in implementing the agreement.”