Damascus is in fog.
Damascus is in fog.
The interim government is trying to rebuild essential services and reassure citizens, but amidst the interests of foreign players, internal rifts, and a bankrupt country, the challenges facing Syria are very significant. It is undeniable that what has happened in Syria is the result of a joint American and Zionist plan. Three days after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, for the first time reacted to the current events in this country, which is a historical ally of the Islamic Republic. Khamenei hinted that Turkey, although not explicitly mentioned, has played a clear role in this matter and will continue to do so. Everyone sees it, but the main conspirators are in the minds and command centers of America and the Zionist regime.
The Supreme Leader of Iran concluded his remarks with a warning about the different goals of each of the attackers in Syria. Some are trying to occupy the land, while America seeks to strengthen its position in the region. Time will show that none of them will achieve these goals. He ended his speech by saying, ‘The lands occupied in Syria will be liberated by the brave Syrian youth. I have no doubt that this will happen.’
Meanwhile, the future of Russian military bases in this country, including the Tartus naval base, the Hmeimim airbase near Latakia, and other bases, remains in a cloud of uncertainty. Semi-militants have ensured the security of the installations, while Moscow has announced readiness to negotiate with the new Syrian rulers.
A government with clear perspectives
Meanwhile, from Damascus, the Prime Minister of the interim government, Mohammad Al-Bashir, expressed the priorities of the new government. We must rebuild security and stability in all cities of Syria, repatriate millions of scattered refugees worldwide to the country, and strategically plan to end the instability by providing essential services such as electricity, food, and water. In an exclusive interview with an Italian newspaper, Al-Bashir stated that people are tired of injustice and tyranny. The government’s authority must be restored so that people can return to their work and resume their normal lives.
The Prime Minister, who previously led the Salvation Government based in Idlib Castle, warned that Syria’s financial situation is catastrophic. He mentioned that the government’s treasury only holds Syrian currency, which is almost worthless. In response to questions about the future considering the past jihadist activities of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham group, Al-Bashir made encouraging remarks. He stated that the illegal actions of some Islamist groups have led many people, especially in the West, to associate Muslims with terrorism and Islam with extremism.
We will ensure the rights of all people and communities in Syria because of being Muslim. He added and explained that the new interim government, which will be in power until March 2025, is ready to negotiate with any foreign country that has distanced itself from the bloodthirsty Assad regime. On the other hand, representatives of neighboring countries and Arab Gulf countries have held meetings with the officials of the interim government, and it is predicted that in the coming days they will recognize the interim government officially.
Israel considers the time well spent.
While efforts are being made in the capital to restore order and prevent a dangerous power vacuum, Israel has not wasted time to defend its interests and gain strategic advantages. Their tanks reached beyond the Golan Heights, occupied since 1967, a few hours after Assad’s fall, and declared their intention to create a defensive buffer zone inside southern Syria.
In particular, Israeli IDF forces occupied the strategic Hermon Mountain range in Syria, which is about 60 kilometers from Damascus and dominates both countries.
The Hail region was established after an agreement that ended the Yom Kippur War in 1973, a war that began with a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria on Israel.
The Israeli newspaper Times reports that Israeli authorities now consider this agreement null and void, and the Israeli army can maintain its new positions inside Syria for an extended period. The advance of Tel Aviv tanks follows a series of airstrikes that reportedly targeted sites suspected of chemical weapons, radar systems, missile depots, and many Syrian naval facilities. Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have condemned these attacks and accused Israel of taking advantage of the unstable situation in Syria and violating international laws.
Great challenges without any model to follow.
Meanwhile, in northern Syria, the Kurdish-led SDF forces supported by the United States and the Syrian National Army supported by Ankara have reached a ceasefire agreement in the city of Manbij through U.S. mediation to ensure the security and safety of civilians.
The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, announced that the Manbij Military Council forces, who have been resisting attacks since November 27, will withdraw from the area at the earliest opportunity.
Groups mainly composed of Kurds, armed and supported by the United States, have halted the advance of the Islamic State in northern Syria, managing prisoner camps where thousands of ISIS fighters are detained.
There, especially in the province of Homs where the United States still has a military base and around 900 soldiers are engaged in counterterrorism operations, another decisive game is being played for the country’s future.
Mohammed al-Jolani tried to dispel fears by saying the country is tired of war and has no intention of returning, but reports of immediate executions of former regime supporters in the streets and the burning of Assad’s father’s tomb only worsen our fears. Major challenges threaten Syria, and while history shows mistakes that should not be repeated by other Arab regimes that have fallen after years of dictatorship, it does not provide clear examples to follow.
In conclusion, it can be said that the fall of Bashar al-Assad almost 14 years after the start of the uprisings against the regime indicates that the political process known as the Arab Spring has not come to an end. Dictators, emirs, and presidents who have survived that storm against the established powers in the Middle East tend to define it as an incident.
While this is a process that is supposed to continue for a long time, it may even take decades with its many ups and downs.
