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Incoming Secretary of State Rubio hints at US role in post-Assad Syria
Marco Rubio, chosen by US President-elect Donald Trump as the next Secretary of State, has provided a clear indication of potential US involvement in Syria, following last month’s rebel-led offensive that resulted in the toppling of former President Bashar al-Assad.
Speaking on Tuesday during a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rubio described post-Assad Syria as "an opportunity" that is "worth exploring", while emphasising the importance of supporting the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group (IS).
Rubio highlighted Washington's interest in fostering a Syrian government capable of preventing IS from regaining a foothold, respecting religious minorities, protecting Kurdish communities, and curbing Iranian influence through its regional proxies.
"I think we also need to recognise that there are implications to abandoning partners who have [made] a great sacrifice," Rubio stated.
However, Rubio expressed concerns about Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group now in control of Syria, by stating the group’s origins "is not one that gives us comfort".
This was likely a reference to HTS' roots in Al-Qaeda despite formally severing ties with the extremist organisation in 2016.
While voicing reservations about Syria’s new leadership, Rubio underlined Washington's potential role in helping maintain a stable Syria, free of IS presence. HTS was one of many rebel formations that battled IS during the war in Syria.
"It is in the national interest of the United States, if possible, to have a Syria that's no longer a playground for ISIS," he said, using an alternative name for the group.
The Islamic State group gained international notoriety in 2014 when it seized vast territories in northwestern Iraq and eastern Syria.
Rubio also said it was a strategic necessity for the US to counter the influence of Iran and Russia in Syria, both of which have expanded their influence in Syria and the wider MENA region over the past decade.
The Assad regime's rapid collapse followed a November 2024 offensive by HTS and allied opposition forces, culminating in the capture of Damascus in early December.
Rubio's latest remarks suggest a push for a more assertive US role in Syria, contrasting with President-elect Donald Trump’s previous stance of wanting Washington to "have nothing to do with" the conflict that led to Assad’s downfall.
Notably, Rubio has been a vocal critic of Trump's foreign policy in the past, accusing him of "abandoning" the US military effort in Syria, where they backed the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) before it was "completely finished".
However, Rubio has recently suggested that Trump’s administration will pursue a more "pragmatic foreign policy".