KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban have welcomed the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, congratulating the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian people for what they described as the removal of the “main cause of war and instability” in the country.
In a Sunday statement, the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hopes that Syria’s situation will be effectively managed to establish peace, unity, and a stable political transition.
“We hope the power transfer aligns with the aspirations of the Syrian people,” the statement read, emphasizing the need for an “independent, service-oriented Islamic government that prioritizes national reconciliation, avoids division and revenge, and implements a general amnesty to strengthen unity among all Syrians.”
The Taliban also urged foreign actors involved in Syria to adopt a “constructive policy of engagement,” calling for the end of external interference to allow the country to rebuild and ensure the safe return of millions of displaced Syrians.
The statement comes after HTS-led rebel forces seized control of key areas following an 11-day offensive that resulted in the collapse of Assad’s government. According to reports, Assad fled the country early Sunday to an undisclosed location as rebel forces entered Damascus and other critical regions.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, emerged as a dominant faction in Syria’s rebel landscape. The group, which evolved from Jabhat al-Nusra—al-Qaeda’s former affiliate in Syria—has been designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations, the United States, and many other nations. Despite its extremist ideology, HTS has positioned itself as a key power broker in northern Syria over the years.
The Taliban’s statement aligns with their broader foreign policy stance of supporting Islamic movements while advocating for sovereignty and non-interference. However, the endorsement of HTS risks drawing criticism due to the group’s global terrorist designation and its controversial history.
The fall of Assad marks a significant turning point in Syria’s 13-year-long civil war, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Assad’s regime had been bolstered by heavy military support from Russia and Iran, with Russian airstrikes playing a key role in securing his hold on power in recent years.
The Taliban’s statement highlights its increasing attempts to position itself as a legitimate actor in regional geopolitics, but their endorsement of HTS underscores the ideological alignments that continue to shape conflict zones in the Middle East.
