Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, asserted that young Syrians will resist the new government after the fall of President Bashar Assad, blaming U.S. and Israeli intervention for the chaos. He emphasized the need for resilience and excluded claims that regional militant groups are merely Iranian proxies.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that young Syrians will actively resist the newly emerging government following the removal of President Bashar Assad. He attributed the unrest in Syria to the machinations of the United States and Israel, who he claimed are responsible for destabilizing the region. Khamenei expressed confidence that Syrian youth, feeling a sense of insecurity and loss, would rise against foreign interferences aimed at exploiting Syria’s resources.
In his address delivered on December 22, 2024, Khamenei emphasized that Syrian youth, having lost much in the ongoing turmoil, possess unwavering resolve to combat the influences behind the chaos. He remarked, “What can he do? He should stand with strong will against those who designed and those who implemented the insecurity,” further expressing hope in their eventual triumph over these adversities.
Iran has been a steadfast ally of Assad during Syria’s protracted civil war, which commenced after Assad’s brutal response to public dissent nearly fourteen years ago. The country has also been a critical supporter of Hezbollah, leveraging Syria as a transit route for military aid to the militant group. Khamenei continued to deflect accusations that groups such as Hezbollah serve merely as proxies of the Iranian regime, insisting these entities act based on their belief systems. “If one day we plan to take action, we do not need proxy force,” he proclaimed.
The complexity of the Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has seen Iran positioning itself as a key supporter of President Bashar Assad’s administration. This alignment is rooted in shared interests, including counteracting U.S. influence in the Middle East and supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon. The recent shifts in power dynamics following Assad’s weakening position have heightened Iran’s concerns about losing a critical ally in the region. As the United States and Israel are perceived as instigators of discord, Khamenei’s remarks reflect an ongoing strategy to galvanize local support and underscore Iran’s influence in regional conflicts.
In summary, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comments underscore the Iranian leadership’s attempts to rally support among young Syrians against perceived foreign interference and instill a sense of resistance following President Assad’s political turmoil. Khamenei’s assertions highlight Iran’s broader strategy to maintain its influence in Syria while denying any claims of reliance on proxy forces, emphasizing a narrative of indigenous resistance against external aggressors.
Original Source: apnews.com
