In a pivotal meeting before his ouster, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad alerted Iranian officials about Turkey’s support for Sunni rebel forces aiming to overthrow his regime. Iran’s Foreign Minister assured Assad of ongoing support while expressing deep concerns to Turkey over its alignment with rebel factions. This dialogue illustrates the escalating tensions and the intricate geopolitical landscape as Assad lost his position, significantly impacting regional alliances.
In the waning days prior to his ouster, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed his concerns to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding Turkey’s support for Sunni rebels attempting to dislodge his regime. Several Iranian officials disclosed to Reuters that Assad’s grievances reflected a growing alarm as rebel forces from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously allied with al-Qaeda, captured strategic cities and threatened the capital. In a meeting on December 2, 2023, Assad’s dissatisfaction with Turkey’s role was conveyed, prompting Iran to seek assurances for continued support. The following day, Araghchi directly communicated Iran’s concerns to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, focusing on Ankara’s backing of rebel forces amidst an escalating conflict.
The dialogue reported between Iranian and Turkish officials was tense, highlighting Iran’s disapproval of Turkey’s parallel cooperation with U.S. and Israeli interests in the region, exacerbating the conflict while speculating on Assad’s regime’s failure to engage meaningfully in peace efforts. Fidan attributed the roots of the ongoing turmoil to Assad’s prolonged oppressive governance, asserting that the regime squandered valuable opportunities to resolve the ongoing crisis. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei later remarked that the orchestration of Assad’s removal was part of a broader plan spearheaded by the United States and Israel, subtly implicating Turkey’s involvement without directly naming the nation.
As a member of NATO, Turkey has maintained a significant presence in northern Syria, engaging in military operations and supporting opposition factions aiming to end Assad’s rule. The loss of Assad poses substantial ramifications for Iran, as it diminishes its alliances with key groups such as Hezbollah, which significantly supported Assad during the protracted civil war. Iranian investment of substantial resources to uphold Assad is now threatened, complicating the strategic land corridor that extends from Iran through Iraq to Lebanon, which facilitated arms supplies to Hezbollah and solidified Tehran’s influence. Following the geopolitical shift resulting in Assad’s fall, Hezbollah’s military engagement in Lebanon against Israel further strained support for Assad’s government, indicative of the larger ramifications of this power shift in the region.
The Syrian civil war, which has engulfed the nation since 2011, has seen various factions vie for control, culminating in significant geopolitical repercussions in the Middle East. Assad’s family has ruled Syria for over five decades, but their regime faced fierce opposition from multiple groups, particularly Sunni rebels. Turkey’s involvement has been marked by its support for opposition factions, while Iran has actively backed Assad’s regime, indicating an ongoing power struggle involving regional powers. The complexity of this conflict is compounded by external influences from the United States and Israel, which aim to counterbalance Iranian influence in the region.
In conclusion, the revelations regarding Assad’s final days in power underscore the intensive geopolitical maneuvering between Iran, Turkey, and rebel forces as well as the broader implications for Syrian sovereignty and regional stability. The loss of Assad not only represents a significant setback for Iran and its allies but also signals a shift in Turkey’s role in Syria and the intricate alignments influencing Middle Eastern politics. As these dynamics evolve, the future of Syria remains uncertain amid the ongoing struggle for power and influence in the region.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
