Damascus in the Mist
Damascus in the Mist
The interim government is striving to restore basic services and reassure citizens, but amidst the interests of foreign actors, internal divisions, and a bankrupt country, the challenges Syria faces are immense. There should be no doubt that what has happened in Syria is the result of a joint American and Zionist plan. Three days after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reacted for the first time to the ongoing events in this country, which is a historical ally of the Islamic Republic. Khamenei, while referring to Turkey without naming it, said it is true that the government close to Syria has played, is playing, and will play a clear role in this regard, everyone sees it, but the main conspirator, the mind, and command center are in America and the Zionist regime.
The Supreme Leader of Iran concluded his remarks with a warning about the different objectives of each of the aggressors in Syria. Some are trying to occupy the land, the US seeks to strengthen its position in the region. Time will show that none of them will achieve these goals, and he concluded 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 the country, the Tartus naval base, the Hmeimim airport near Latakia, and other outposts remain shrouded in uncertainty. The ruling militias have secured the facilities while Moscow announced it is ready to talk with the new rulers of Syria.
A Government with Clear Vision
Meanwhile, from Damascus, the interim government’s Prime Minister Mohammad al-Bashir outlined the new government’s priorities: We must restore security and stability in all Syrian cities, bring back millions of refugees scattered around the world, and strategically plan to end instability by providing essential services like electricity, food, and water. In an exclusive interview with an Italian newspaper, al-Bashir stated that people are tired of injustice and tyranny, and the authority of the government must be re-established so that people can return to work and resume their normal lives.
The Prime Minister, who previously led the Salvation Government based in the Idlib fortress, warned that Syria’s financial situation is disastrous, saying the state’s treasury only contains Syrian money, which is almost worthless. In response to questions about the future given the past jihadist background of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, al-Bashir commented encouragingly, saying the illegal actions of some Islamist groups have caused many people, especially in the West, to associate Muslims with terrorism and Islam with extremism.
Precisely because we are Muslims, we will guarantee the rights of all people and all communities in Syria, he added, explaining that the new interim government, which will be in power until March 2025, is ready to engage in dialogue with any foreign country that has distanced itself from the bloodthirsty Assad regime. On the other hand, representatives from neighboring countries and Gulf Arab states have held meetings with the group’s officials and it is anticipated that in the coming days, they will recognize the interim government.
Israel Seizes the Opportunity
While efforts are being made in the capital to organize the chaos and prevent a dangerous power vacuum, Israel has wasted no time in defending its interests and gaining strategic advantages. Their tanks reached the buffer zone beyond the Golan Heights, which has been occupied since 1967, just hours after Assad’s fall, and announced their intention to establish a defensive protective zone within Syria’s southern border.
In particular, Israeli IDF forces occupied the Syrian slopes of Mount Hermon, a strategic plateau about 60 kilometers from Damascus that dominates both countries.
The buffer zone was established following 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 Times of Israel reports that Israeli officials now consider this agreement null and void, and the Israeli army can maintain its new positions within Syria for a long time depending on developments. The advance of Tel Aviv’s tanks follows a series of airstrikes that reportedly targeted suspected chemical weapons sites, radar and missile systems, warehouses, and many Syrian naval facilities. Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have condemned these incursions, accusing Israel of exploiting Syria’s chaotic situation and violating international laws.
Great Challenges Without a Model to Follow
Meanwhile, in northern Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by the United States and the Syrian National Army (SNA) backed by Ankara have reached a ceasefire agreement in the city of Manbij through US mediation to ensure the safety and security of civilians.
The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, announced that the Manbij Military Council forces, which have been resisting attacks since November 27, will withdraw from the area at the first opportunity.
Still, predominantly Kurdish groups armed and supported by the United States, which have halted the advance of the Islamic State in northern Syria, manage prison camps where thousands of ISIS fighters are detained.
There, and especially in the province of Homs where the United States still has a military base and about 900 soldiers are engaged in anti-terrorism operations, another decisive game for the future of the country is being played.
Mohammad al-Julani, by saying the country is tired of war and has no intention of returning, tried to dispel fears, but reports of summary executions of former regime supporters in the streets and the burning of Assad’s father’s tomb raise fears of the worst. Great challenges threaten Syria, and although the history of other Arab regimes that have fallen after years of tyranny shows mistakes not to be made, it does not specifically provide models to follow.
In conclusion, it can be said that the fall of Bashar al-Assad nearly 14 years after the uprisings against the regime began shows that the political process known as the Arab Spring is not over. Dictators, emirs, and presidents who survived that storm against the established powers of the Middle East tend to define it as an incident.
While it is a process that is supposed to continue for a long time, it may even take decades with many ups and downs.
