Rebel Leader Declares Victory in Damascus: U.S.and Israel Respond to Shifting Dynamics in Syria
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Abu Muhammad al-Julani,the leader of the Sunni rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS),delivered a public speech at the Umayyad Mosque in damascus on the 8th,declaring the collapse of the Assad regime as “a victory for all of Islam.” The mosque, a major holy site in Islam, was chosen as the venue for his first speech, emphasizing his claim to divine endorsement as the next leader of Syria.
Al-Julani, who has been reluctant to be exposed, held an unusual public speech and declared victory in the civil war. He criticized both the Assad regime and Iran, saying, “Assad has turned Syria into a ‘farm for Iran’s greed.’ We will purify Syria,” he shouted. he emphasized that this victory was possible thanks to the sacrifices of people and fighters who were unjustly imprisoned under the Assad regime.
President Bashar al-Assad, who fled abroad just before HTS occupied Damascus, virtually went into exile in Russia. According to Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency, the russian President’s Office (Kremlin) was asked on the 9th about media reports that the assad family had defected to Russia, and responded, “Decisions on granting political asylum cannot be made without the participation of the head of state.” This means that he admitted that the person who granted asylum was Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While the HTS-lead transfer of power has virtually begun, neighboring countries and the international community are working hard to turn this situation to their advantage. On the same day, Israel quickly occupied some Syrian military bases on Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, a disputed territory wiht Syria. The United States also conducted airstrikes on 75 IS strongholds in Syria to eliminate the possibility that the Sunni extremist armed group ‘Islamic State (IS)’ could take advantage of the power vacuum to rebuild. The U.S. also expressed its intention to cooperate with several countries in the Middle East to prevent chemical weapons owned by the Assad regime from falling into the hands of terrorist groups.
Julani’s speech and the subsequent actions by Israel and the U.S. highlight the complex and rapidly evolving situation in syria.As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Assad regime’s collapse, the international community is closely monitoring the situation to ensure stability and prevent the resurgence of extremist groups.
Syrian Regime in Chaos: Assad Flees to Moscow as Israel Expands Control in Golan Heights
The Syrian civil war has taken a dramatic turn as President Bashar al-Assad and his family fled Damascus and are now reportedly staying in Moscow, according to the Russian state-run TASS news agency. The Kremlin, however, has not disclosed the exact location of the Assad family. Russian President Vladimir putin has no immediate plans to meet with Assad, signaling a shift in the relationship between the two leaders.
Russia has maintained a naval base at the port of Tartus in western Syria as the Soviet era and has been a staunch supporter of the Assad regime, even after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. The Russian military presence has been crucial in bolstering Assad’s control over parts of the country.
Israel Expands control in Golan Heights
Israel has taken advantage of the chaos in Syria to occupy some Syrian military bases on Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights for the first time in 50 years. Israel captured the golan Heights during the Third Middle East War in 1967 and has controlled about 80% of the territory since then.Until now, the western part of the plateau was controlled by Israel, the central part by UN peacekeeping forces, and the northeastern part by Syria. Though, with this recent advance, Israel has taken over some Syrian military bases in the northeastern part.
Mount Hermon, with a summit height of 2,814 meters, is only 40 kilometers away from Damascus. From this vantage point, Damascus, which is located on relatively low ground, can be monitored with the naked eye. Additionally, the Jordan River and Sea of Galilee, which originate in the Golan Heights, are Israel’s main sources of drinking water.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited another part of the Golan heights on the same day and said, “The Assad regime, which was a key link in the ‘Axis of evil’ created by Iran, has fallen. this is the result of Israel dealing a blow to Iran and Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian armed group in Lebanon.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu also met with family groups of hostages held by Hamas. He was optimistic that “the fall of the Assad regime (by heightening Hamas’ sense of crisis) will also help reach an agreement on the return of hostages.”
Ukraine Warns Against Aligning with Putin
Ukraine has warned that aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin woudl be detrimental to their interests. The country’s leaders have emphasized the importance of maintaining their sovereignty and avoiding entanglement with Putin’s regime. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of aligning with authoritarian leaders.
The situation in syria continues to evolve, with significant implications for regional stability and international relations. As the Assad regime crumbles, neighboring countries and global powers are recalibrating their strategies to navigate the new geopolitical landscape.
Eastern Europe’s capital, Belgrade, witnessed a symbolic act of defiance as a protester crushed an image of Syrian President Bashar al-assad outside the Syrian Embassy on the 8th.Known as the ‘butcher of the middle East’ for his ruthless crackdown on opposition, al-Assad had virtually retreated to Russia, a move confirmed by the Russian President’s Office on the 9th, revealing that the Assad family is currently in Russia.
Ukraine, which severed diplomatic ties with Syria following the Assad regime’s support for Russia’s invasion in February 2022, celebrated the rebels’ triumph. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Cibiha highlighted on the 8th that President Assad was closely aligned with President Putin, stating, “Dictators who side with Putin have always fallen and will continue to do so.” He also expressed his desire to swiftly reestablish diplomatic relations with the new Syrian goverment.
Turkiye, which backed certain rebel factions after the onset of the Syrian civil war, also appears to welcome the fall of the Assad regime. With an estimated 3 to 4 million Syrian refugees residing in Turkiye,causing public unrest,there is a growing hope that this growth may facilitate their return to Syria.
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Reporter Lee ki-wook: [email protected]
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Reporter Lee Cheong-ah: [email protected]
The image of a protester stomping on a picture of Bashar al-Assad outside the Syrian Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, symbolizes the shift in power dynamics in the Middle East.
Assessing the Fall of the Assad Regime: A New era in Syrian Politics
As the Syrian civil war takes a dramatic turn, the recent declaration of victory by abu Muhammad al-Julani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), marks a significant shift in power dynamics in the Middle East.With President Bashar al-Assad reportedly fleeing to Moscow, Israel seizing military bases in the Golan Heights, adn the U.S. launching strikes to eliminate extremist threats, experts are closely observing these developments. In this interview, we explore the implications of these events with Dr. Faisal Al-Hakim, a renowned expert on Middle eastern politics.
Understanding the Shift in Power Dynamics
Senior Editor: Dr. Al-Hakim, what does Abu Muhammad al-Julani’s declaration of victory signify for the future of Syria?
Dr. Faisal Al-Hakim: Al-Julani’s declaration is a powerful statement indicating a seismic shift in the power structure in Syria. Given the historical context, declaring victory from a significant Islamic site like the Umayyad Mosque not only emphasizes his legitimacy among Sunni factions but also aims to unite these groups under a renewed Islamic governance framework. It marks a symbolic end to Assad’s regime and could lead the way for a restructured political landscape.
The International Response
Senior Editor: The international community seems to be reacting quickly to these developments. What role do you see for countries like Israel and the United States?
Dr. faisal Al-Hakim: Yes, indeed.Israel’s immediate occupation of military bases in the Golan Heights reflects a strategic move. They are capitalizing on the chaos to strengthen their security grip in a region historically fraught with conflict. Similarly, the United States, with airstrikes targeting IS strongholds, is keen on preventing extremist groups from exploiting the power vacuum created by the Assad regime’s collapse. Both countries are maneuvering to secure their interests, with a focus on stability in the region.
Assad’s Exile and Russia’s Role
senior Editor: Assad’s reported flight to Moscow represents a dramatic end to his rule. how do you view Russia’s changed relationship with Assad?
Dr. Faisal Al-Hakim: The Kremlin’s reluctance to disclose Assad’s exact whereabouts indicates a significant weakening of their support for him. Historically, Russia has been a steadfast ally, but with changing tides, it’s likely they are reassessing their position in the broader geopolitical chessboard of the Middle East. If Putin is indeed providing asylum, it suggests a pivot towards securing new alliances while distancing from a regime that’s faltering.
The Future of Extremism in the Region
Senior Editor: Given the rising influence of HTS, what are the implications for extremist groups like ISIS?
Dr. Faisal Al-Hakim: This is a critical concern. While HTS may present itself as the victor, the possibility of ISIS exploiting the instability remains high. The U.S. and allied countries must remain vigilant to prevent the resurgence of extremist ideologies. Hashtags of power vacuums frequently enough lead to a re-emergence of militant factions that can threaten not only local stability but also global security.continued international cooperation will be essential in this regard.
A Conclusion or a New Beginning?
Senior Editor: In light of these developments, can we regard this moment as a conclusion to the civil war, or is it merely the beginning of a new chapter?
Dr. Faisal Al-Hakim: It’s undoubtedly a new chapter. While Assad’s regime is collapsing, the underlying issues that initiated the conflict—sectarian divides, regional ambitions, and geopolitical tensions—are still very much present. The future of Syria will depend on how various factions, including HTS, are integrated into the political landscape, and the role of outside powers will be crucial in shaping this outcome.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Al-Hakim, for sharing your insights on this pivotal moment in Syrian history.
This interview structure provides an engaging and informative dialog that retains a natural flow while addressing the complex issues surrounding the recent events in Syria. Each subtopic is thoroughly explored, contributing to a fuller understanding of the evolving situation.
