Assad’s fall shows weakness of Russia and Iran – EU foreign policy chief
The European Union’s new foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said Sunday that the collapse of the Syrian government highlights the weakness of President Bashar al-Assad's supporters, namely Russia and Iran.
“The end of Assad’s dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran,” she said on X.
People hold Syrian opposition flags as they celebrate at the Place de la Republique, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Paris, France, December 8, 2024. Members of the Syrian community in Cyprus celebrate, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Nicosia, Cyprus, December 8, 2024.
In response to the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government, Ahmad Nadri, a member of Iran’s parliament, urged a strategic shift for Iran.
He proposed that the country focus on nuclear testing and prioritize revitalizing the so-called ‘resistance front’ in the aftermath of the Syrian crisis.
Iranians walk next to a pro-Hezbollah billboard on a street in Tehran, Iran December 8, 2024.
Rouhollah Rahimpour, a political analyst, told Iran International that there is clearly no comprehensive and systematic analysis of the events in Syria in the Islamic Republic's media.
Referring to the approach of some newspapers like Kayhan, he said, "Some of these media outlets consider the situation a victory for Israel, while others reduce the issue to internal Syrian matters."
According to Rahimpour, the Islamic Republic's calculations regarding Syria have been thrown into such disarray that they are unable to consolidate an analysis of the situation and their current position.
Syria’s foreign ministry and its embassies across the world will remain operational to serve Syrians, the foreign ministry said in its first statement since the fall of Damascus.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in the Syrian Arab Republic and its diplomatic missions abroad will remain committed to serving all fellow citizens and managing their affairs,” it said on Sunday.
“Today, a new page is being written in the history of Syria inaugurating a national covenant and charter to unite Syrians and does not divide them,” the statement said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Bashar al-Assad has left office and departed Syria, following instructions for a peaceful handover of power.
While it did not reveal Assad's current location, the ministry said that Russia had not been involved in the negotiations surrounding his exit.
People walk past the Syrian embassy in Moscow, Russia December 8, 2024.
Russian military bases in Syria are reportedly on high alert but face no immediate threat.
Moscow also emphasized its communication with Syrian opposition groups, urging all parties to refrain from violence.
Reuters reported that Assad boarded a plane from Damascus airport around the time rebels took control of the capital, though it remains unclear if he was on board.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speculated that Assad was “probably outside of Syria,” while UAE advisor Anwar Gargash declined to confirm reports of possible asylum.
UN envoy Geir Pederson said he had no information on Assad's whereabouts. Some Syrian sources have suggested the ousted leader may have been killed after the flight took off.
Hossein Aghaie, a researcher in strategic affairs and international relations, told Iran International, "The fall of Bashar al-Assad is, in fact, the fall of the Islamic Republic's ideology and regional terrorism.”
He emphasized that the Islamic Republic's nightmares continue with the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign and Israel's operations across the region.
Aghaie attributed the fall of Assad to the collapse of the Syrian army and said, "If Russia's interests demand it, Putin will do to the Islamic Republic what he did to Assad."
According to him, the biggest loser in the Syrian war is the Islamic Republic, which has spent significant amount of money in the survival of Assad.
Assessing the post-Assad situation, Aghaie said that Putin will continue to use the Islamic Republic as a bargaining chip, Turkey will increase its geopolitical influence in Syria, and Israel will face a dual challenge of threat and opportunity.
Men carry Syrian flags as they gather at Oranienplatz square, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Berlin, Germany December 8, 2024.
