Maghreb Solidarity with New Syria: Regional Reactions to al-Assad’s Downfall

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the countries of the Maghreb quickly expressed their solidarity with the Syrian people, voicing concerns about the challenges hindering the Arab Spring’s goals.

The only exception was the government of Mauritania, which refrained from making an official statement on the downfall of al-Assad’s regime. However, the issue was closely followed by political parties and the public, much like in the rest of the Maghreb and the broader Arab world.

Algeria and Morocco

According to al 24 News, Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the country “is closely following the recent developments and rapid changes taking place in the Syrian Arab Republic, and it calls on all Syrian parties to unite and work towards peace, in order to safeguard the security, stability, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria.”

“Algeria reaffirms its solidarity with the Syrian people, who share a long history of cooperation and mutual support with the Algerian people,” the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The Ministry’s statement further emphasized “the importance of dialogue among all sectors and components of the Syrian population, urging the prioritisation of Syria’s national interests, the protection of its resources, and the collective effort to build a future where all Syrians are represented through institutions rooted in the will of the Syrian people, free from foreign interference.”

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita has affirmed that "Morocco has been closely monitoring the significant and rapid developments in Syria,” and that he hopes that the new developments also fulfill “the aspirations of its people, and pave the way for a brighter future and greater development for the country.”

Bourita, speaking to the North Africa Post, emphasized that, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, "Morocco has always been clear concerning the preservation of territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and the unity of the Syrian people. This has been and will remain the firm position of the Kingdom of Morocco."

He reiterated "the Kingdom’s steady position for the preservation of Syria’s national unity and territorial integrity after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime."

Bourita also recalled that Morocco had closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012 and requested the closure of Syria's embassy in Morocco.

“Morocco had closed its embassy in Damascus and requested the closure of the Syrian embassy in 2012, calling for decisive and active steps to achieve a political transition towards a democratic framework that ensures Syria’s stability,” Bourita said.

Tunisia and Libya

In a statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisian Abroad, “Tunisia emphasizes, in light of the accelerating events occurring in Syria, the need to ensure the safety of the Syrian people and preserve the Syrian state as a unified and fully sovereign state in order to protect it from the danger of chaos, fragmentation and occupation, and to reject any foreign interference in its affairs.”

“Tunisia also recalls its firm position on the need to distinguish between the State, on one hand, and the political system that exists within it, on the other.”

“Tunisia calls on all Syrian parties to unite and prioritize the supreme interest of the country in order to preserve the country's security, independence, integrity and stability and to secure a peaceful political transition that preserves the state and its continuity and meets only the aspirations of the Syrian people.”

“Tunisia also expresses its absolute solidarity with the brotherly Syrian people, who have deep-rooted ties of kinship with the Tunisian people, and its confidence in their ability to overcome this delicate circumstance in order to build a bright future for Syria.”

In Libya, it was notable that the welcoming of the fall of al-Assad's regime came from the Tripoli government and the State Council, with no comments as yet from the government of Tobruk or its parliament.

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of National Unity expressed Libya’s full alignment with the demands of the Syrian people and their aspirations for freedom and justice, reiterating its unwavering support for their revolution against tyranny.

In a statement issued on December 8, the UN-recognized Government of National Unity expressed hope that these developments would mark the beginning of a real shift towards the establishment of a civil, democratic state that fulfills the aspirations of the Syrian people and ensures justice for all citizens.

The ministry reaffirmed its steadfast support for the legitimate struggle of the Syrian people against despotism, viewing this phase as the culmination of a long fight for dignity and freedom.

The statement also stressed the necessity of ensuring the return of Syrian refugees and displaced persons to their homes with dignity and safety, guaranteeing their rights, and fostering a just national reconciliation process that acknowledges their sacrifices.

In a similar vein, according to Al-Estiklal, the Libyan High State Council addressed the Syrian opposition, "You have written a saga of sacrifice with your own hands, endured hardships, and faced the most tyrannical and unjust rulers with patience and steadfastness. Today, you are reaping the rewards of your perseverance and sacrifices, achieving the victory you truly deserve."

In a statement issued on December 8, 2024, the Libyan State Council emphasized, "This victory confirms that the will of the people is invincible, and that freedom is an inherent right that no one can take away."

"The success of the Syrian revolution is a triumph for justice, humanity, and truth, sending a message to the world that the people who seek freedom and dignity will ultimately prevail, no matter the challenges or how long the oppression lasts."

"You must unite to build a new homeland — a Syria of freedom, dignity, and justice, a Syria that embraces all its people, regardless of their differences and affiliations, a Syria of hope and peace," The council noted.

Party Reactions

Several Maghrebi political parties have expressed their support for the downfall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, denouncing it as brutal and bloody, while calling for solidarity to achieve the Syrian people's demands for freedom, justice, and a dignified life for all.

In this context, Morocco’s Justice and Development Party extended its congratulations to the resilient Syrian people, celebrating their newfound freedom and the restoration of their state's dignity and glory, while bidding farewell to a tyrannical and brutal regime that subjected the Syrian population to suffering and humiliation for decades.

In a statement signed by Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane on December 11, the party expressed its sincere wishes for the revolutionary leadership’s success in securing a smooth transitional phase with national responsibility, wisdom, and prudence.

The statement also commended the Syrian opposition’s civil approach in dealing with their opponents, and their commitment to Syria’s unity across its diverse population.

The party also called for all Syrians, irrespective of their backgrounds, beliefs, and convictions, to come together in unity to reclaim Syria's independence and build a free, democratic, and unified nation that preserves the dignity, unity, and resources of the Syrian people, while supporting key causes such as the Palestinian issue and its legitimate resistance, and preventing foreign interventions and counter-revolutionary movements that oppose the will of the people.

Meanwhile, the Progress and Socialism Party (PPS) emphasized the importance of respecting the free will of the Syrian people and their aspirations, free from foreign interference in shaping their future, while underscoring the need to uphold Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah, on December 11, the Justice and Development Party expressed solidarity with the Syrian people, sharing their joy and relief at the fall of a regime defined by despotism and repression.

The party voiced hope that the active and vibrant forces in Syria would work to preserve national unity and cohesion, stressing the importance of fostering political pluralism, democracy, development, and reconstruction, all grounded in self-reliance. 

It urged these forces to avoid falling into the trap of external impositions, interventions, and malicious foreign ambitions that are currently surrounding Syria.

The party further expressed its aspiration for Syria to maintain an independent national decision-making role, particularly in relation to the present and future aspirations of the Palestinian people, specifically regarding their legitimate rights to exist, reclaim their land, and achieve independence.

Similarly, the Federation of the Democratic Left welcomed the fall of the Syrian regime, which it described as oppressive and tyrannical, having weighed heavily on the Syrian people for decades.

In a statement issued on December 11, the party acknowledged the immense human suffering caused by the regime and the ongoing political crisis, which raises questions about the future of Syria. The party emphasized that the right path to rebuilding a free and independent Syria, free from sectarianism and division, must be based on full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, ensuring the participation of all active forces in the rebuilding process.

In Algeria, the National Construction Movement has called for the adoption of a comprehensive political solution in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, one that ensures the participation of all components of the Syrian people and their factions that renounce violence, without exclusion or marginalization, and aims to rebuild the state on solid foundations.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Abdelkader Bengrina, the party emphasized the urgency of an immediate and comprehensive halt to all military operations that exacerbate civilian suffering and threaten security and stability, while stressing the protection of the republic’s institutions.

The party called for an inclusive national dialogue in Syria, one that transcends narrow political calculations and vengeful impulses, placing national interests above all else to achieve national reconciliation and strengthen unity.

It further urged political and civil society forces to move beyond rhetoric of hatred and division, advocating for national unity as a fundamental pillar for the reconstruction of a strong and stable Syria.

In Algeria, the Movement of Society for Peace reaffirmed its support for the Syrian people, standing by their legitimate right to live in freedom, dignity, and emancipation.

The movement stressed its backing for the Syrian people's efforts to overcome the stages of conflict and fragmentation that have diminished Syria's role, leading to the displacement of millions under the fallen regime.

The statement congratulated the Syrian people on achieving their demands for political transition and liberation from corruption and tyranny, emphasizing the need to guarantee the unity of Syrian territory and ensure a peaceful and just political transition that fosters consensus among all components of the Syrian people, safeguarding independence, sovereignty, and territorial unity.

The movement called on all Syrian parties to draw lessons from bitter Arab experiences, reject the causes of division and power struggles, and work towards a shared future based on dialogue and national interest to avoid slipping into new conflicts that would hinder the liberation process.

In Tunisia, the Ennahda Movement (The Renaissance Party) congratulated the Syrian people following their victory over the regime after years of oppression and suffering under a dictatorial, unjust rule.

In a statement, the movement reiterated its commitment to the right of all peoples to freedom and dignity, standing against all forms of injustice and tyranny.

The statement emphasized that the Syrian people's victory proves that "freedom and justice are the only path to building a future worthy of the dignity of Syrians and Syria's civilizational stature—Syria of dignity, pride, and glory."

It called on the Syrian people and all their active forces to pursue national unity to preserve the fabric of society and avoid the dangers of division, stressing the importance of building a democratic system that guarantees national coexistence, justice, freedom, and equality for all citizens, while addressing the suffering caused by more than half a century of oppression and tyranny.

The movement also urged Arab peoples to stand with their Syrian brothers, supporting their efforts for stability, sovereignty, and independence, free from foreign interventions and projects that threaten Syria's unity.

The National Salvation Front opposition group in Tunisia stated that the developments in Syria have implications beyond the country's borders, indicating that the peaceful uprisings witnessed in the Arab world at the beginning of the last decade reflect the deep aspirations of its people for freedom and the establishment of democratic institutions based on the rule of law and the separation of powers, which achieve justice and ensure comprehensive and inclusive stability and growth for all citizens.

"This also signals that the belief in the current stagnation in the region as evidence that these peoples no longer desire democracy is a grave mistake, one that paves the way for dangerous surprises regarding the national and regional security of these countries and their stability," the Front continued in its statement.

The National Salvation Front expressed its optimism for Syria's future, citing the opposition factions' demonstrated consensus, commitment to peace, and reassurances to the various religious and ethnic components of Syrian society that Syria belongs to all its people.

In Mauritania, National Rally for Reform and Development (Tawassul) congratulated the Syrian people on the successful culmination of their blessed revolution, following over fifty years of autocracy and absolute rule. During this period, the proud Syrian people sacrificed thousands of their honorable sons in exchange for their freedom.

In a statement, Tawassul emphasized the "necessity of respecting the free will of peoples and their inherent right to choose their rulers," adding that "there must be an end to all tyranny and tyrants, no matter how long it takes, and what has transpired serves as a lesson to every despot who has grown accustomed to oppressing their people."

The statement also highlighted the importance of "ensuring that revolutionary forces protect Syria’s resources, security, and stability, including safeguarding public institutions and facilities," while calling for a “clear political roadmap for the upcoming democratic transition, involving all active forces in the country.”

In advice shared on his Facebook page on December 9, 2024, Mauritanian Islamist leader Mohamed Jemil Mansour urged the enemies of the revolution and supporters of the former regime to avoid opposing the will of the people.

"You have completed the easier task and now face the more difficult one. Nations prosper through justice, fairness, freedom, and serving their people. Regardless of the slogans or titles used, no nation can thrive under oppression, injustice, sectarianism, or exclusion."

"Experience shows that countries and nations are not built upon narrow ideologies, sectarianism, or regionalism," Mansour noted.

Mansour addressed Syria's neighbors, urging them to "Let Syria unite and establish its political system without interference. Do not believe that supporting the revolutionaries justifies pressuring them, nor does enmity towards them warrant conspiracy against them."

The Mauritanian Islamist leader emphasized, "Syria deserves, from us and its own people, to move beyond this situation peacefully. It is precious, noble, and beautiful, and its capital, Damascus, holds a special place in everyone’s heart."