The fall of Bashar al-Assad has led to notable shifts in the political alignments of Algeria and Tunisia, challenging historical ties to Assad while accentuating Morocco’s longstanding opposition. The evolving dynamics highlight a collective concern over potential security threats from returning Syrian militants across the Maghreb.
The recent fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has prompted significant shifts in the political stances of Maghreb nations, particularly Algeria and Tunisia. Historically aligned with Assad, Algeria had initially voiced robust support for his government against “terrorist aggression.” However, following Assad’s escape to Moscow, the Algerian government adopted a more neutral stance, urging a dialogue for the future and preservation of the nation’s assets.
Contrastingly, Morocco has expressed skepticism towards Algeria’s support of Assad, fearing that his demise could inevitably destabilize the region and inspire democratic movements that threaten their own regimes. Morocco maintains a long-standing enmity with Syria, stemming from tensions since the 1970s and diverging geopolitical positions, particularly regarding their relationships with Israel and the Western Sahara conflict.
Meanwhile, Tunisia’s position has evolved over the years, initially supporting the Syrian opposition during the Arab Spring, but more recently, under President Kais Saied, has opted for renewed diplomatic relations, viewing the situation in Syria as an internal affair. While Tunisia’s ties with Syria are not as historically entrenched as Algeria’s, they still share sentiments of solidarity, especially given their past revolutions.
Amidst these shifting allegiances, there is a shared anxiety within the Maghreb regarding the potential return of radicalized nationals from Syria, particularly fighters linked to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has raised fears of domestic security threats in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. The governments are closely monitoring their citizens who joined militant factions, fortifying border controls and security measures to prevent any resurgence of extremism within their territories.
The geopolitical landscape of the Maghreb has been substantially influenced by the civil war in Syria and the responses of regional governments to the upheaval caused by Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Algeria, which has historically supported Assad due to shared ideological connections dating back to pan-Arabism and Cold War alliances, has found its position challenged by changing realities on the ground. Tunisia, having experienced its own revolution, originally condemned Assad but has gradually shifted towards diplomatic engagement since 2017. Morocco, on the other hand, has reinforced its opposition to Assad, driven by concerns over regional stability and long-standing political rivalries. The collective responses of these countries illustrate their divergent priorities, with a shared focus on internal security and the implications of returning foreign fighters as key factors affecting their foreign policies.
As the fallout from Assad’s regime continues to unfold, Algeria and Tunisia are recalibrating their political positions amidst regional insecurities stemming from the potential return of radicalized individuals from Syria. Algeria’s initial support has lapsed into cautious neutrality, while Morocco’s historical opposition remains steadfast, reflective of its concerns about democracy’s implications for its own governance. Despite different approaches, these Maghreb nations face similar trepidations regarding the destabilizing effects of the Syrian conflict on their internal security.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
