Biden Calls For Assad To Be Held Accountable – UrduPoint
US President Joe Biden recently stated that deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should be “held accountable,” emphasizing that the ongoing political upheaval in Syria presents a “historic opportunity” for its citizens to rebuild their nation.
In a significant response to Assad’s ousting by an Islamist-led coalition of rebel factions, Biden reiterated the United States’ commitment to staying alert against the rise of terrorist organizations. During his address from the White House, he revealed that US forces had just carried out new strikes targeting militants from the Islamic State group.
“The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice,” Biden proclaimed. “It’s a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria.”
When questioned about the fate of the former president, who is rumored to have fled to Moscow, Biden affirmed that “Assad should be held accountable.”
However, he also expressed concerns regarding hardline Islamist factions within the victorious rebel alliance. “Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” he noted.
Biden highlighted that while the United States has taken note of recent statements from rebels indicating a shift towards moderation, there will be a careful assessment of both their words and actions.
The US military reported that the recent strikes targeted Islamic State operatives and camps, with missions carried out against “over 75 targets using multiple US Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s,” according to US Central Command.
Prior to making these announcements, President Biden convened a meeting with his national security team at the White House to discuss the ongoing crisis in Syria.
Assad’s reported exit came shortly after the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a decisive offensive against the long-standing Assad regime, challenging over five decades of Assad family rule and breaking through previously static frontlines in the Syrian civil war.
This group has actively targeted various sites within the country, including those associated with Iranian-backed militias, as Tehran has been a principal supporter of Assad’s government.
Furthermore, Biden confirmed that US authorities hold the belief that American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria back in 2012, is still alive. “We believe he’s alive,” Biden stated, although the US has thus far been unable to determine his whereabouts.
