Syria’s embassy in Lebanon has suspended services following the arrest of two relatives of Bashar Assad for passport forgery. Around seventy Syrians, including former military personnel, were handed over to the Syrian government by Lebanese authorities. The emerging government, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, faces both internal and external tensions, especially regarding women’s rights and Kurdish relations amid ongoing protests.
BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian embassy in Lebanon has ceased consular services, following the arrest of two relatives of former Syrian President Bashar Assad at Beirut airport on allegations of passport forgery. Subsequently, Lebanese authorities transferred approximately seventy Syrians, many of whom are former officers of the Assad regime, to the new Syrian government. The suspension of services, ordered by the Syrian foreign ministry, came amid rising tension as new security forces engaged with remaining pro-Assad factions and strengthened control at the borders with Lebanon. The recent weeks have seen escalating conflict between newly established security forces led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and remnants of Assad’s forces, while tensions continue between Kurdish groups and Turkish-backed factions in northern Syria. Kurdish activists recently protested in Hasaka, demanding women’s rights within the new political landscape, expressing concerns that the current leadership exhibits extremist tendencies, which could restrict women’s roles in society. Meanwhile, international discussions focus on maintaining a Syrian-led political process that prioritizes human rights and urges representational governance.
This article discusses the recent developments regarding Syria’s diplomatic activities in Lebanon and the changing political landscape within Syria under the new authority. The HTS, a former insurgent group, has taken a central role in the newly established Syrian government, succeeding in subduing some fears regarding retribution against communities that previously supported Assad. However, there is notable unrest among Kurdish populations and women’s rights activists, with many expressing anxiety over the potential rise of Islamist extremism and a rollback of hard-fought rights in the new regime. The context of these events is further complicated by Lebanon’s role in detaining former Syrian officials and the geopolitical ramifications involving Turkey and the U.S. Department of State.
In summary, the suspension of services at Syria’s embassy highlights growing tensions born from Lebanon’s recent handover of former Syrian military personnel. The newly established government led by HTS is grappling with both internal dissent and external scrutiny, particularly concerning human rights and representation. The situation remains volatile, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and Kurds, in a country still recovering from years of conflict and instability.
Original Source: apnews.com
