Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in statements to Qatar-based Al Jazeera television, emphasized that the overthrow of the Bashar Assad regime was a regional turning point. Al-Sharaa stated that this change was an inevitable necessity not only for the Syrian people but for the entire Islamic world.
Emphasizing that Syria is a fundamental element of the region, Al-Sharaa said he was sure that the Assad regime would fall due to the crimes it committed against the people. Stating that "the removal of the old regime was necessary not only for Syria but for the entire region," Al-Sharaa noted that while they focused on the military struggle, they also prepared for the building process.
The Syrian opposition led by Ahmed al-Sharaa overthrew the Bashar Assad regime, which had been in power since 2000, on December 8, 2024. Al-Sharaa underlined that they received no foreign support during this process, saying he benefited from experience and began working from within Damascus to overthrow the regime.
Al-Sharaa said they created a balanced economic environment in Idlib in northwestern Syria, adding, "Despite being in a region under siege and great pressure, I gave due attention to war, construction, and the economy at the same time."
Al-Sharaa stated that they conveyed their work in Idlib and liberated areas to the world through the media, saying, "We surpassed the old regime even in living standards in Idlib. We received training on construction tools and institutional management; we had a consultative council, universities, and media organizations. We built a large industrial city, residential areas, shopping centers, and roads."
Touching on his personal life, Al-Sharaa said his belonging to Golan in southwestern Syria was shaped by discourse within the family. Stating that he was influenced by Arab nationalist discourse, which has common points with Islamic discourse, Al-Sharaa said, "We distinguish between Islam and Islamic experiences into which ideas and juristic interpretations enter."
Al-Sharaa said the environment he lived in rejected the "fallen regime" because of its policies and oppressive practices, and concluded, "I believe humanity began from here (Syria). When we stand before Damascus, we stand before human civilization."
