The Syrian government’s request to Russia for the extradition of ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad has been turned down, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa revealed in a recent interview. This development coincides with a surge in extrajudicial killings by a Salafi-jihadi group, ideologically aligned with the Islamic State (IS), targeting individuals perceived to be associated with the former Assad regime.
According to President al-Sharaa, the extradition request was made by Syrian authorities to Moscow. However, the Russian government declined to comply. Al-Sharaa alluded to the possibility of continued military cooperation with Moscow, emphasizing Syria’s sustained reliance on Russian arms, even after the fall of Assad’s regime in December 2024.
Meanwhile, a Salafi-jihadi group, closely linked to IS, has been perpetrating extrajudicial killings targeting Syrians believed to have ties to the deposed Assad regime. The group aims to excommunicate those who fought against IS, signaling its opposition to both Assad supporters and the current transitional government. This wave of violence threatens to further destabilize the already fragile political landscape in Syria.
In related news, the United Kingdom recently lifted Assad-era sanctions on several Syrian entities, including the interior and defense ministries, former intelligence agencies, and regime-affiliated news outlets. Concurrently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have offered support to rebuild Syrian institutions, signaling a potential shift towards international engagement with the country.
The backdrop to these events is the Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011 with pro-democracy protests against Bashar al-Assad’s government during the Arab Spring. The government’s violent response escalated the protests into a civil war involving numerous factions, including Syrian government forces, rebel groups, Kurdish forces, and international actors. The conflict led to the collapse of Assad’s regime in December 2024 during a rebel offensive.
The denial of the extradition request, coupled with the intensification of jihadist killings, poses significant challenges for Syria’s transitional government. As the nation grapples with ongoing instability and violence, the path towards a peaceful and unified future remains uncertain.