Assad’s Final Days: Allegations of Turkish Support for Rebel Forces

In the lead-up to his ouster, Bashar al-Assad warned Iranian officials about Turkey’s support for Sunni rebels. His departure from power is viewed as a major loss for Iran and its allies. Iranian-Turkish discussions revealed tensions regarding the civil war, with Fidan blaming Assad for the ongoing conflict while Khamenei pointed towards U.S. and Israeli conspiracies in overthrowing Assad’s regime.

In the days leading to his ouster, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed concerns to Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, regarding Turkey’s support to Sunni rebel forces, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This information emerges as tensions escalate in the region, marked by HTS’s advance on key cities and their march towards Damascus. Following Assad’s departure to Moscow, where he received asylum, it became evident that his regime’s fall represented a significant setback for the Iranian-led coalition opposing Western influence in the Middle East.

During a meeting in Damascus on December 2, Assad articulated his frustration over Turkey’s increased involvement, accusing it of undermining his government. In response to his concerns, Araghchi reassured him of Iran’s backing and pledged to engage Turkish officials regarding these issues. Subsequently, Araghchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, where the Iranian delegation expressed their discontent with Ankara’s alignment with U.S. interests, which are perceived as threatening to Iran’s regional allies.

Conversely, Fidan responded by attributing the ongoing conflict directly to Assad’s reluctance to pursue meaningful peace negotiations and his authoritarian governance, exacerbating the situation. Reports indicate a tense atmosphere during the talks, underscoring fraught relations between Iran and Turkey amidst the backdrop of the Syrian civil war.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei later remarked that Assad’s removal resulted from a conspiracy orchestrated by the United States and Israel, hinting at Turkey’s role in the region without explicitly naming the country. As a NATO member, Turkey has actively supported opposition factions seeking to remove Assad since the war’s inception in 2011.

The loss of Assad marks a critical defeat for Iran, which had heavily invested in his regime and relied on the Syrian corridor for military supplies to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran had committed substantial financial resources and military personnel to sustain Assad’s grip on power. As Hezbollah’s involvement has waned due to renewed conflict with Israel, the dynamics within Syria continue to shift, complicating the existing geopolitical landscape.

This article details the final days of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, particularly focusing on his communications with Iranian officials prior to his flight to Moscow. The backdrop involves Iran’s longstanding military and political support for Assad during the Syrian civil war, a conflict characterized by complex alliances and rivalries. The article contextualizes Turkey’s involvement in the rebellion against Assad, highlighting the broader implications of his government’s collapse for Iranian influence in the region. The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has been marked by intense and multifaceted confrontations between various factions, with Turkey backing opposition forces while Iran has supported Assad. The article also delves into the discussions between Iranian and Turkish officials, revealing the heightened tensions amid the shifting power balance as Assad’s regime faces existential threats from rebel forces.

In conclusion, the interactions between President Bashar al-Assad and Iranian officials reveal a deepening crisis in Syria, exacerbated by Turkey’s support for rebel factions. Assad’s allegations against Turkey signify the shifting dynamics, which culminated in his eventual ousting. The implications of his fall, alongside Iranian and Hezbollah investment in the region, suggest a significant alteration in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, with potential repercussions for the Axis of Resistance led by Iran.

Original Source: www.voanews.com