Rebels? Which rebels? According to the Kremlin, longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad has personally and independently decided to step down. Its fall is already a political and military catastrophe for Moscow.
“The withdrawal from the process of carrying out the duties of the head of state was Assad’s individual decision,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to Russian authorities. He declined to comment further on Moscow’s role in this.
Assad and his family were granted asylum in Russia after his fall in Syria. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, who met repeatedly with Assad, made the decision to accept the family in Russia, Peskov said on Monday. A meeting is therefore not planned. Russian authorities have not disclosed Assad’s exact whereabouts.
Assad left the country after a rebel alliance led by Islamists entered Damascus over the weekend. Russia was considered a strong supporter of his regime. Moscow operates, among other things, an air force and a naval base on the Syrian Mediterranean coast. The Kremlin wants to negotiate with the future leaders about their whereabouts.
“With the help of the Mediterranean base, Russia was able to demonstrate its military strength in the Mediterranean and thus exert influence. The same applies to the air base,” Colonel Markus Reisner of the federal army explained to broadcaster NTV. “From there, Russia was able to support the Assad regime.” Therefore, the loss of Syria would also have enormous strategic consequences for Putin.
“I assume that the Russians will now have to look for alternative locations. This is where Libya comes into play. There they are already connected to General Haftar,” the military expert said.
According to the US Institute for War Studies, Putin’s timidity in Syria is also shaking his credibility: “Russia’s inability or deliberate inability to strengthen the Assad regime, despite the rapid advance of opposition forces throughout the country, will also undermine credibility of Russia as a reliable and effective security partner. throughout the country Damage the world,” according to an initial analysis. “This in turn will have negative consequences for Putin’s ability to gain global support for his desired goal: a multipolar world order.”
What’s next in Syria?
Because it is not entirely clear who is in charge in Syria. After a summit meeting in the capital Damascus, Mohammed al-Bashir, previously head of government (governor) in the rebel stronghold of Idlib, was tasked with forming a new Syrian government. This was reported on Monday by several Arab media. Current Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said in a TV speech that he would support the transitional cabinet.
The parties have already met. Bashir can be seen in the video on the right:
Jalali agreed to hand over power to the rebels. “Discussions are taking place to manage the transition,” said the prime minister of the old government. “What happened in Syria is a revolution. It is the will of the people and their desire for change.”
Al-Bashir comes from the northwestern governorate of Idlib, the rebel stronghold from which the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched its offensive. The politician reportedly studied electronics engineering and Islamic law. He is in his early forties.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
