ICC Prosecutor Meets Syria's New Leadership to Discuss War Crimes Accountability

Karim Khan's visit to Damascus signals potential collaboration on justice for atrocities committed during Syria's civil war.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan held an unannounced meeting with Syria's transitional leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and the foreign minister in Damascus on Friday.
Discussions focused on exploring pathways for prosecuting alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Syria's 13-year civil war.
The transitional government, led by former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has expressed openness to justice and accountability for Assad-era atrocities.
Syria is not an ICC member state, but could potentially accept the court's jurisdiction, a step previously taken by Ukraine for war crimes investigations.
The ICC's involvement remains uncertain due to Syria's non-membership and past UN Security Council deadlocks, but the new leadership has pledged to pursue justice for victims.