In the final days before his ouster, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed concerns to Iran’s foreign minister about Turkey’s support for Sunni rebels. This meeting, which occurred just before Assad’s asylum in Moscow, reflects the shifting alliances in Syria’s civil war. Iranian leaders backed Assad for years, but his removal poses a setback to their influence in the region as Turkey continues to support opposition forces.
In the waning days leading to his departure from power, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi his grievances regarding Turkey’s support for Sunni rebel factions attempting to overthrow his regime. This interaction took place on December 2, shortly before Assad sought asylum in Moscow after decades of governance by his family came to an end. The Iranian leadership has been a steadfast supporter of Assad throughout Syria’s protracted civil war, which highlighted the geopolitical struggle against foreign influence in the Middle East. The Iranian officials that disclosed these details indicated that during the meeting, Assad articulated his alarm about Turkey’s heightened involvement in supporting rebel forces, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has roots in al-Qaida and is known for its insurgent activities. In response, Araghchi affirmed Iran’s unwavering backing for Assad and pledged to address these concerns with Turkey. The following day, during discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Araghchi conveyed Iran’s significant apprehension over Turkey’s military and political maneuvers, which Iran perceives as aligned with American and Israeli interests, undermining its regional allies.
Fidan, however, countered by asserting that Assad bore the responsibility for the prevailing crisis, attributing the conflict to his dismal governance and abstention from earnest peace negotiations. The Turkish Ministry later characterized his remarks as not wholly accurate and denied that Araghchi communicated any specific messages from Assad. Furthermore, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently remarked that the decline of Assad was orchestrated by a coalition of American and Israeli forces, hinting at complicity from Syria’s neighboring nations, implicitly targeting Turkey as a key antagonist. The ongoing struggle for control in Syria has seen Turkey firmly ally with various opposition factions since the civil war’s inception in 2011, wielding considerable influence in the northern regions following military interventions. Assad’s removal poses dire consequences for Iran and its ally, Hezbollah, severing a crucial conduit for Iranian support and military logistics to Lebanon, which had historically facilitated weapon transfers to Hezbollah. The investments made by Iran in both financial and military resources to sustain Assad’s regime are now at a pivotal juncture, hastily reshaped by shifting diplomatic and military alliances in the region.
The ongoing conflict in Syria has drawn in multiple regional and international players, with Bashar al-Assad’s regime facing significant opposition since the onset of the civil war in 2011. The conflict stems from popular protests against Assad’s oppressive governance, which evolved into a protracted and complex war involving numerous rebel factions, foreign military interventions, and geopolitical implications. Turkey, as a NATO member, has supported various opposition groups aiming to oust Assad, while Iran has maintained its allegiance to the Syrian leader. With the backdrop of these unfolding events, alliances have shifted, and power dynamics have evolved, highlighting the various interests of external actors aimed at influencing the outcome of the Syrian crisis. This complex web of allegiances and animosities is critical to understanding the regional stability and security landscape in the Middle East.
In summary, Assad’s recent communications with Iranian officials underscore the heightened tensions involving Turkey’s support for Sunni rebels seeking to unseat him, marking a significant moment in Syria’s civil conflict. The interactions reflect not only the internal strife faced by Assad but also the intricate regional alliances that complicate the geopolitical landscape. The potential ramifications of his ousting extend to Iran and its allies, disrupting established chains of support and threatening their influence in the region’s ongoing power struggles. As the situation continues to unfold, the intricate dynamics will play a crucial role in shaping future relations among the involved states.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
