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Conflict in Syria

Syria’s new authorities guarantee security to minorities — minister

Denominational diversity has been a distinctive feature of Syria and its social fabric since ancient times, according to Mohammad Yaqoub al-Omar

BEIRUT, December 19. /TASS/. The new Syrian authorities provided security guarantees to the country’s religious minorities, said transitional cabinet’s Information Minister Mohammad Yaqoub al-Omar.

"The Military Operations Directorate has met with members of various religious denominations and provided them with guarantees," al-Omar said, the Al Watan newspaper reported.

Denominational diversity has been a distinctive feature of Syria and its social fabric since ancient times, according to the minister.

"Denominational groups in Syria have rights and responsibilities. They are significant. It is important to engage with them, to know about their needs," he said.

"Personal freedoms [will be] granted to all Syrians," al-Omar went on to say.

On December 9, Al Watan reported that the new authorities do not plan to impose any restrictions related to women's clothing in Syria. According to the report, they have "strictly forbidden" any interference in such matters or imposition of any requirements regarding clothing or appearance, including those "related to the display of modesty." The authorities, the newspaper said, were keen to guarantee every citizen "respect for their individual rights."

Syria’s armed opposition units started a major offensive on government troops in the Aleppo and Idlib governorates at the end of November. On December 8, they entered Damascus while government troops withdrew from the city. Bashar Assad resigned as president and left the country. Mohammed al-Bashir announced on December 10 that he will lead a transitional cabinet in Syria until March 2025. He had previously headed the opposition’s Salvation Government in Idlib since January 2024.

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