Syrian President Bashar al-Sharaa has asserted he bore no responsibility for the september 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, stating he was a 19-year-old with no authority at the time and that Al-Qaeda had no presence in his region. the remarks, made during a recent interview with Fox News, represent a rare direct response to long-held accusations linking him to the attacks that triggered U.S. military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
the Syrian leaderS denial comes amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and ongoing efforts to rebuild the war-torn nation. Al-Sharaa‘s statements also touch on the need for cooperation with the United States against the Islamic State (IS) and potential U.S. mediation with Israel regarding the occupation of southwestern Syria. This renewed dialogue occurs as international sanctions against Syria begin to lift, prompting a reevaluation of relationships and future collaborations.
Al-Sharaa emphasized his youth and lack of influence during the period surrounding the 9/11 attacks.”I was only 19 years old. I was a very young person. I didn’t have any decision-making power at the time. I don’t have anything to do with it. al-Qaeda was not present right then in my area,” he stated. He further maintained he was “the wrong person” to be associated with the hijackings that resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 Americans.
The Syrian president also expressed condolences for the civilian casualties resulting from the attacks, saying, “We mourn for every civilian that got killed.”
Despite pledging to establish an inclusive government in Syria, al-Sharaa acknowledged that his rule has experienced instances of sectarian violence targeting Druze, Alawite, and Christian communities.
Looking forward, al-Sharaa highlighted the necessity of joint efforts between Syria and the U.S. to combat the terrorist institution IS. He also voiced optimism that former President trump could facilitate negotiations with Israel concerning it’s 2024 expansion of its presence in southwestern Syria.
