Iran has turned its again and deserted its ally Syria as opposition forces topple the regime, an unique New York Times report on Saturday revealed.
According to an inner memo from a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps that the NYT considered, the scenario in Syria was described as “unbelievable and unusual.” It is as if “Iran accepted the autumn of Assad and has misplaced the desire to withstand,” the memo stated.
In addition, Iran’s media had switched from calling the Sunni rebels “infidel terrorists” to “armed teams” and reported that they’d to date handled Shiite minorities nicely, the NYT reported.
Iran has admitted that the present setbacks to the Syrian regime are a problem for its regional “axis of resistance,” which consists of Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, Iraqi militias, the Syrian regime, and different teams.
According to the unique, Iran has supported Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, for many years, serving to him survive a civil struggle that threatened his dynastic rule.
Iran has additionally been utilizing Syria as a route to produce weapons to Hezbollah within the nation’s west.
However, Iran appears to be distancing itself from Assad, probably abandoning all the pieces it has constructed and fought to protect in Syria for the previous 40 years, which has been its main foothold within the Arab world, the report said.
Middle Eastern Reactions
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, “Syria has reached a stage the place the Syrian folks will form the way forward for their very own nation; at this time, there may be hope.”
“The Syrian folks can not do that alone. Turkey attaches significance to Syrian territorial integrity. A brand new Syrian administration should be established inclusively. There must be no need for revenge. Turkey calls on all actors to behave with prudence and to be watchful. Terrorist organizations should not be allowed to make the most of this case. Opposition teams should be united. We will work for stability and security in Syria.”
He warned in opposition to Syrian rebels working with Kurdish terrorist teams, “The new Syria mustn’t pose a menace to neighbors; it ought to remove threats. Any extension of the outlawed PKK militia can’t be thought-about a legit counterpart in Syria.”
Qatar’s international ministry stated it was following developments in Syria with curiosity and known as for the preservation of the unity of the state.
“We have been involved with all actors within the area. We are in fixed communication with Turkey and each stakeholder concerned,” a Saudi official informed Reuters, including that the dominion was not conscious of Bashar al-Assad’s whereabouts.
Egypt has known as on all events in Syria to protect the capabilities of the state and nationwide establishments, the Egyptian international ministry stated.
The international ministry affirmed its help for the Syrian folks and the nation’s sovereignty and unity.
Saudi Arabia stated on Sunday it stands by Syrian folks and their selections at this “important stage” after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was toppled.
King Abdullah stated Jordan revered the alternatives of the Syrian folks. He urged the avoidance of any battle in Syria that may result in chaos and burdened the necessity to defend the safety of his nation’s northern neighbor, in line with a press release printed by the Royal Hashemite Court.
Iraqi authorities spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi stated Iraq was carefully following developments and reaffirmed the significance of not interfering within the inner affairs of Syria, or supporting one social gathering in favour of one other.
International reactions
President-elect Donald Trump applauded the autumn of the regime and mocked Russia and Iran for dropping their core ally. “Assad is gone. He has fled his nation. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not all for defending him any longer,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Russia and Iran are in a weakened state proper now, one due to Ukraine and a nasty economic system, the opposite due to Israel and its combating success.”
“President Biden and his staff are carefully monitoring the extraordinary occasions in Syria and staying in fixed contact with regional companions,” the White House stated in a press release.
“The United States will proceed to keep up its presence in jap Syria and can take measures crucial to forestall a resurgence of the Islamic State,” Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro informed the Manama Dialogue safety convention in Bahrain.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasised the necessity to defend minorities in Syria, “Bashir al Assad has brutally oppressed his personal folks, has numerous lives on his conscience and has pushed quite a few folks to flee Syria, a lot of whom have additionally come to Germany. The Syrian folks have skilled appalling struggling. The finish of Assad’s rule over Syria is, subsequently, excellent news. What issues now could be that regulation and order are rapidly restored in Syria. All non secular communities, all minorities should get pleasure from safety now and sooner or later.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock echoed the message, saying, “The nation should not now fall into the fingers of different radicals – whatever the guise. We subsequently name on the events to the battle to dwell as much as their duty for all Syrians. This contains the excellent safety of ethnic and spiritual minorities similar to Kurds, Alawites or Christians and an inclusive political course of that creates a stability between the teams.”
French President Emmanuel Macron harshly condemned the Assad regime, saying, “The barbaric state has fallen. At final.”
The barbaric state has fallen. At final.I pay tribute to the Syrian folks, to their braveness, to their endurance. In this second of uncertainty, I ship them my needs for peace, freedom, and unity.France will stay dedicated to the safety of all within the Middle East.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 8, 2024
UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer stated, “The Syrian folks have suffered underneath Assad’s barbaric regime for too lengthy, and we welcome his departure. Our focus is now on guaranteeing a political answer prevails, and peace and stability is restored. We name on all sides to guard civilians and minorities and guarantee important help can attain probably the most weak within the coming hours and days.”
The UK’s Deputy PM Angela Rayner stated the British authorities welcomed the autumn of Assad’s regime however was all for a political answer.”If Assad has gone, that is a welcome change, however what comes subsequent must be a political answer, they usually need to be working within the pursuits of the Syrian folks.”
Kaja Kallas, EU Foreign Minister, stated, “The finish of Assad’s dictatorship is a constructive and long-awaited growth. It additionally reveals the weak spot of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran. Our precedence is to make sure safety within the area. I’ll work with all of the constructive companions in Syria and within the area.”
The Taliban applauded HTS for liberating the Syrian folks, saying, “Afghanistan congratulates the management of the motion and the folks of Syria on the latest developments, which have resulted within the removing of key components contributing to battle & instability. The capital, Damascus, has come underneath the management of the Syrian folks underneath the management of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, and we specific hope that the remaining phases of the revolution will probably be managed successfully to ascertain a peaceable, unified, & steady governance system.”
