The new European Union Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas welcomed the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria this morning, calling it a positive and long-awaited development.
“It also shows the weakness of Assad’s backers Russia and Iran. Our priority is to ensure security in the region,” Kallas wrote on the social network X.
Kallas said the EU would work with all constructive partners in Syria and the region, adding that she was in close contact with the highest officials in the region.
“The process of rebuilding Syria will be long and complicated, and all parties must be ready to engage constructively,” Kallas said.
After a period of relative calm, clashes between Assad regime forces and anti-regime groups erupted again on November 27 in rural areas west of Aleppo. Opposition forces then launched a lightning offensive and captured key cities within ten days, culminating in the capture of the capital Damascus this morning.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Assad had made his own decision to step down from power and leave Syria. Moscow did not disclose which country Assad had traveled to.
