Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that young Syrians would resist the new government following President Assad’s removal, accusing the U.S. and Israel of creating chaos in Syria. He highlighted the plight of these youth, claiming they have nothing to lose, and dismissed notions that militant groups are proxies of Iran, asserting their independent motivations for fighting.
In a recent address, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted that the youth in Syria would resist the impending government following the ousting of President Bashar Assad. During his remarks in Tehran, he accused the United States and Israel of instigating chaos in Syria, claiming that Syrian youth, who he described as having “nothing to lose,” would stand strong against these foreign influences. Khamenei emphasized that the youth’s suffering under the current circumstances renders them determined to confront the adversaries orchestrating unrest in their nation.
Khamenei’s comments reflect Iran’s broader support for Assad throughout Syria’s prolonged civil conflict, which has lasted almost 14 years. The conflict has been characterized by Assad’s harsh crackdown on dissent, leading to widespread turmoil and the significant involvement of Iranian support for groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon. Khamenei further remarked on the successes of foreign adversaries, stating, “Now they feel victory, the Americans, the Zionist regime and those who accompanied them,” portraying a narrative of continued conflict against foreign powers that were allegedly undermining the Syrian government.
The statement by Ayatollah Khamenei comes at a critical juncture following the recent upheavals in the region. Since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Iran has positioned itself as a staunch ally of President Assad, providing both military and financial support. The conflict has highlighted the strategic importance of Syria as a conduit for Iranian assistance to groups such as Hezbollah, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. With various militant factions being targeted and weakened by Israeli forces, Khamenei’s remarks underscore Iran’s ongoing efforts to galvanize support among Syrian youth against perceived foreign adversaries, namely the United States and Israel, who are accused of destabilizing the region for their gains.
In summary, Ali Khamenei’s assertions regarding the resilience of Syrian youth amidst political turmoil reflect Iran’s strategic interests and its historical backing of Assad’s regime. By positioning these young Syrians as embodiments of resistance against external threats, Khamenei seeks to rally support and reinforce Iran’s influence in the region. His claims of external conspiracies reiterate a longstanding narrative that seeks to unify different factions within Syria against a common foe, thus complicating the path toward potential reconciliation in the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: apnews.com
