Fawaz Gerges, a professor at the London School of Economics, told DW he believed the opposition had “matured a great deal,” but it was unclear how future developments would pan out.
“Syria could go two ways: It could descend … into violence and social, political and economic upheaval, or it could basically begin the process of healing,” he said.
He said the moment reminded him of Iran in 1979, when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown, ultimately leading to the .
“It was really a socially based … forward-looking [and] inclusive revolution,” he said. “Yet, the Iranian Revolution in 1979 was hijacked by the clerics a year after the revolution. I hope that Syria travels a different route.”
Gerges said rebels were “making sure there is no large-scale violence against either government properties or minorities.”
“They have made it very clear — they want a peaceful, gradual process of transition,” he said.
Gerges added that he was “impressed” by statements by the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Golani.
“He has made it really clear — he does not want to exact revenge … against his enemies,” he said. “But, of course, we have to wait and see what happens in the next few weeks and next few months.”
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