Biden says the US will assist Syria and its neighbors after the collapse of the Assad dynasty

US President Joe Biden delivers a speech in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, USA, on November 26, 2024.

Nathan Howard | Reuters

President Joe Biden welcomed the fall of the Syrian dictatorship in his remarks on Sunday but warned of uncertainty during the country's political transition.

“It is a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering Syrian people to build a better future for their proud country,” he said in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. “It is also a moment of risk and uncertainty. As we address what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and stakeholders in Syria to help them seize the opportunity to address the risk.”

The U.S. will support Syria's neighbors, including Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Israel, during the transition period and deploy senior officials to the region, Biden said. He also pledged to continue the mission against ISIS and ensure the security of detention facilities in Syria where ISIS fighters are being held.

“We recognize that ISIS will seek to exploit the new vacuum to restore its capabilities and create a safe haven. We will not allow that,” Biden said.

He added that US forces carried out a dozen precision airstrikes against IS camps and militants in Syria on Sunday.

However, he noted that it is not just ISIS that poses a threat. Biden said the U.S. would remain vigilant, adding that some of the rebel groups that toppled Assad's regime had their own record of terrorism and human rights abuses.

“They are saying the right things now, but as they take more responsibility, we will evaluate not only their words but also their actions,” he said.

The US will also help “all Syrian groups” establish an independent, sovereign government. This commitment also includes humanitarian aid to support Syria after 13 years of civil war.

Biden also said his administration is committed to returning Austin Tice to his family. Tice, an American journalist, was kidnapped in Damascus in 2012 and detained by the Syrian government. Biden said the US believed Tice was alive.

Syrian rebel troops captured the capital Damascus on Sunday. The Russian Foreign Ministry said President Bashar al-Assad has resigned and left the country, ending his family's decades-long dictatorship in Syria.

“We are not sure where he is, but there are rumors that he is in Moscow,” Biden said, later adding that Assad should be held responsible.

Assad took over the country's leadership in 2000 after his father's death. Assad's allies included Russia, Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Biden said all three allies are “far weaker” now than when he took office.