00:00Good afternoon.
00:09After 13 years of civil war in Syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian
00:14rule by Bashar Assad and his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign
00:21his office and flee the country.
00:24We're not sure where he is, but there's word that he's in Moscow.
00:29At long last, the Assad regime has fallen.
00:40As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our
00:45partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the
00:51risk.
00:54The upshot for all this is, for the first time ever, neither Russia nor Iran nor Hezbollah
01:05could defend this abhorrent regime in Syria.
01:09This is a direct result of the blows that Ukraine and Israel have delivered upon their
01:14own self-defense with unflagging support of the United States.
01:19Over the past four years, my administration has pursued a clear and principled policy
01:23toward Syria.
01:25Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East.
01:28Through this combination of support for our partners, sanctions, diplomacy, and targeted
01:34military force where necessary, we now see new opportunities opening up for the people
01:39of Syria and for the entire region.
01:42Looking ahead, the United States will do the following.
01:45First, we'll support Syria's neighbors, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel, should
01:52any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition.
01:57I'll speak with leaders of the region in the coming days.
02:00I had long discussions with all of our people earlier this morning.
02:04And I'll send senior officials from my administration to the region as well.
02:08Second, we will help ensure stability in eastern Syria, protecting our personnel against any
02:17threats, and will remain our mission against ISIS will remain maintained, including security
02:24of detention facilities where ISIS fighters are being held as prisoners.
02:30We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to
02:34reestablish its capabilities and to create a safe haven.
02:37We will not let that happen.
02:39A dozen of precision strikes, airstrikes within Syria targeting ISIS camps.
02:47We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations,
02:53to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward independent, sovereign, an independent
02:59– independent, I might not say it again – sovereign Syria with a new constitution,
03:05a new government that serves all Syrians.
03:08This process will be determined by the Syrian people themselves.
03:11And the United States will do whatever we can to support them, including through humanitarian
03:16relief to help restore Syria after more than a decade of war and generations of brutality
03:22by the Assad family.
03:24And finally, we will remain vigilant.
03:28Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record
03:33of terrorism and human rights abuses.
03:36We've taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days, and
03:41they're saying the right things now.
03:44But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions.
03:50And we are mindful, we are mindful that there are Americans in Syria, including those who
03:56reside there, as well as Austin Tice, who was taken captive more than 12 years ago.
04:03We remain committed to returning him to his family.
04:07Sovereign and independent – and independent, I might say it again – sovereign Syria with a new constitution.
04:14These past few days have been historic.
04:18And you know, it's in the days ahead that will determine the future of this country.
04:24We intend to approach them with strength, wisdom, and resolve.
04:29Thank you very much.
04:30God bless America, and God protect our troops.
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