RASC News Agency: The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement congratulating Tahrir al-Sham on the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, expressing optimism that the power transition in Syria will pave the way for the establishment of an Islamic government rooted in Sharia principles. The Taliban described Assad’s government as the “primary driver of war and instability” in Syria.
This statement comes at a time when, despite over three years of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, no country has formally recognized their government. The international community and regional stakeholders have repeatedly urged the Taliban to form an inclusive administration that reflects the will of the Afghanistani people. However, the Taliban have steadfastly resisted these calls, opting instead to establish a government marked by ethnic, linguistic, religious, gender, and regional exclusivity.
While the Taliban celebrate Tahrir al-Sham’s triumph, distributing sweets across several provinces in jubilation, Assad’s key allies Iran and Russia are reportedly dismayed by the fall of his regime. The Taliban’s enthusiastic endorsement of Tahrir al-Sham raises significant questions about the type of governance this group might institute in Syria: will it mirror the Taliban’s medieval-style regime, or will it reflect the aspirations of the Syrian populace?
Even if Tahrir al-Sham were to establish an Islamic government, it is unlikely to replicate the Taliban’s model. The Taliban’s regime, despite its claims of Islamic governance, is fundamentally rooted in tribalism and ethnic favoritism. It prioritizes narrow ethnonationalist interests over broader Islamic or democratic values. This distinction underscores the ideological and structural differences between the two groups, even as they share some similarities in their extremist approaches.
