Bashar Assad’s regime is striving to maintain its power amidst escalating Israel-Iran tensions while avoiding direct involvement in Gaza and Lebanon. This restraint stems from a desire to evade Israeli retaliation and a reflection of Syria’s weakened state, questioning Assad’s role in the Axis of Resistance and raising concerns about his reliability as an Iranian ally.
The Syrian regime, led by President Bashar Assad, is navigating a precarious situation as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran. In an effort to preserve his regime, Assad has refrained from direct involvement in the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, despite having informal alliances with groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. This restraint arises from a recognition of Syria’s vulnerabilities, as the regime is currently recovering from over a decade of civil war, international isolation, and economic distress.
Assad’s reluctance for direct engagement in Gaza and Lebanon can be attributed to the regime’s weakened state resulting from civil war, alongside the threat of ferocious Israeli retaliation. Historically, Iran has bolstered Assad’s regime since the outset of Syria’s uprisings in 2011, allowing Syria to serve as a significant conduit for Hezbollah and Iranian military activity. However, as Israeli airstrikes on Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria have surged, Assad must balance both his need for Iranian support and the exigencies imposed by Israeli military strategy.
In summation, the Assad regime’s avoidance of robust involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict highlights its precarious position amid fragmentation and economic decay. While Assad relies on Iran and Hezbollah for survival, there is a growing recognition that a more aggressive stance could provoke devastating Israeli-led consequences—demonstrating the intricate balancing act required to maintain his rule in a turbulent region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
