The recent toppling of Bashar al-Assad marks a serious setback for Russia, which had supported his regime for nearly a decade. Assad’s flight to Moscow for asylum signals a collapse of Russian efforts to maintain influence in Syria. The implications for Russian military bases in the region remain uncertain as state media begins to redirect blame onto the Syrian military for the loss of territory, while the Kremlin repositions focus on national security in relation to Ukraine.
Steve Rosenberg highlights the significant implications of the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad, who had maintained power in Syria for nearly a decade with the support of Russian military forces. In an unexpected turn of events, Assad has reportedly fled to Moscow after his regime was toppled, leading Russia to grant him asylum on humanitarian grounds. The Kremlin’s Syria initiative, which aimed to assert Russia as a global power, has dramatically unraveled, casting doubt on the stability of Russian military bases in the region.
The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed its concern regarding the tumultuous situation in Syria, emphasizing the blow to the prestige of Russia. This military intervention, which began in 2015, was not only framed as a demonstration of Russian strength against the West but also secured advantageous military leases in Syria, notably at the Hmeimim air base and Tartous naval base. Following Assad’s downfall, the future status of these bases is uncertain, with Russian officials reporting “no serious threat” at present but placing them on high alert.
Furthermore, Russian state media has begun to deflect blame onto the Syrian military for the swift loss of territory, suggesting that government forces capitulated without sufficient resistance. This shifting narrative may be an attempt by the Kremlin to mitigate the embarrassment of Assad’s fall, redirecting public discourse to prioritize national security issues, particularly in relation to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While the Kremlin strives to manage the situation, the loss of its strongest ally in the Middle East poses a significant setback for Russian foreign policy.
For nearly a decade, Russia has been a crucial supporter of Bashar al-Assad, providing military assistance that helped him maintain control amid the Syrian Civil War. In 2015, Russian military intervention aimed to bolster Assad’s government and simultaneously establish Russia as a significant global power, challenging Western dominance in the region. The Kremlin secured multiple military bases in Syria, strengthening its presence in the eastern Mediterranean and facilitating operations in Africa. Thus, the recent upheaval represents a profound failure of this initiative, prompting concerns over the sustainability of Russian interests in Syria.
The fall of Bashar al-Assad signifies a critical juncture for Russia, as it not only reflects a substantial loss of prestige but also raises pressing questions about the future of Russian military installations in Syria. As Russian officials attempt to downplay the implications and redirect public focus towards domestic security, the Kremlin faces significant challenges in managing the repercussions of its long-standing investment in Assad’s regime. Such developments necessitate scrutiny of Russia’s broader strategic goals and its capacity to adapt in an evolving geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
