New Delhi:
The sun has set on Bashar al-Assad in Syria. The capital Damascus has been captured by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTAS) fighters. At present, these fighters have captured a large area of the country. These fighters had emerged from Idlib in the north of Syria and have reached Damascus by capturing cities like Aleppo and Homs. Even before they reached Damascus, President Bashar Al-Assad left the country and fled to Russia. With this, Syria has reached a situation which is being monitored by many powers.
What is the world’s interest in Syria?
At present, countries like Russia, America, Israel, Iran, Turkey are keeping an eye on Syria. Apart from these, the presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Kurdish Army, Syrian National Army and Islamic State is already present there. After Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s capture of Damascus, the US said in a statement on Sunday that the balance of power in Syria has changed. The Islamic State will try to take advantage of this, but we will not let this happen. However, America’s newly elected President Donald Trump has a different opinion. He had said in a tweet on Saturday, “Syria is a problem, but it is not our friend, the United States should have nothing to do with it.” This is not our fight. Let it end. Don’t get involved in this!” He also wrote that Russia saved Syria for decades, but they also did not help Basar al-Assad, because he himself is embroiled in a war with Ukraine, in which six lakh of his soldiers have been killed. This is Trump’s opinion that he has not taken the oath of office. It will be interesting to see what stance he takes after becoming President.
Syrian girls taking pictures with rebel fighters.
During the Arab Spring in 2011, people took to the streets in Syria against the Assad government. Later it turned into civil war. Assad took harsh action against his opponents. Many parties were involved in this civil war, such as the Syrian government, countries like America, Iran and Russia and terrorist organizations like Islamic State. More than half a million Syrians were killed in this civil war and millions of people were rendered homeless and had to take refuge in other countries.
Friendship between Bashar al-Assad and Russia
Russia helped Bashar al-Assad in dealing with this civil war. Assad strengthened himself with the help of the Russian army. When Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters reached Damascus after 13 years of civil war, neither Russia nor Iran came forward to save Assad. The result was that most of Syria was captured by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Now he has also got the support of the Syrian National Coalition. Today, American and Israeli forces are also taking action in Syria. There are reports that Assad had also established relations with America in his last days. America was trying to remove Russia and Iran from there. Now after Assad’s departure, America may find that its objective is going away. He fears that some more rebel organizations may rise there. US Army is targeting IS positions. America suspects that fighters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have also increased relations with IS fighters. America is taking action to break this alliance. Through this, he is trying to give a message to other terrorist organizations that action will be taken against them if they have relations with IS.
Syrian refugees waiting to enter Syria at the Turkish border.
Bashar al-Assad has taken refuge in Russia after escaping from Syria. Russia has also confirmed this. In fact, Syria is strategically important for Russia. Russia has had a military base in Syria since the Soviet era. This is Russia’s only military base in West Asia. Russia had also sent its army to help Assad deal with the civil war. We can say that it was Russia that saved Assad’s power. If Russia’s hold on Syria weakens, Russia’s presence in West Asia will end.
Why did Iran turn a blind eye?
Iran was considered a big ally of the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad. Iran used to help Assad by providing weapons, troops and training to the army to fight Syria. But even Iran did not help him in the last moments. In fact, along with taking help from Russia and Iran, Assad was also secretly engaged in improving relations with America. This is the reason why all the countries and organizations included in Iran’s Axis of Resistance were helping Hezbollah during the Israel-Gaza war or the Israeli attack on Lebanon. But Bashar al-Assad was watching everything happening with impunity. This angered Iran a lot. After this, he thought it better to find a safe route for himself and leave Syria with the help of the rebels. The fall of the Assad government in Syria is no less than a shock for Iran.
Why has Israeli army entered Syria?
After the fall of Assad, Israeli forces have entered Syria. It has captured 10 kilometer area of Golan Heights of Syria. Israeli army has entered Syria for the first time after the 1974 agreement. Israel has been accusing Syria of harboring Hezbollah fighters. Because of this, their relationship was never normal. Israel wants to give a message to Iran by occupying Syria. Israel can help the Kurdish Front. In this situation Iran will not be able to help Hezbollah. This situation will be beneficial for Israel.
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