Berlin, Germany (Weltexpress). On this topic, the Palestinian Arab Democratic Union (UDAP) assesses in an article published by the communist magazine ‘Contropiano’ on 16 December 2024: Significant political and military developments have taken place in Syria in recent weeks. When the Assad government fell, power was taken over by Haiʾat Tahrir asch-Scham (HTS), a Salafist group funded and supported by Turkey, a NATO member. This sudden development appears to be the result of an agreement, in terms of both methods and timing, that aims to redefine the political structure of the Middle East. Turkey, which seeks to expand its influence in the region, appears to be the main player in these developments, alongside the US and the Arab Gulf States.
Syria’s role
For over sixty years, Syria has firmly supported the Palestinian cause and vigorously opposed the Israeli occupation and the attempts of some Arab countries to normalise relations between Arab countries. Despite pressure, Syria refused to engage in a peace process with Israel because it considered the occupation of Palestine to be unacceptable. Syria has therefore always been seen as a bulwark against American imperialism in the Middle East and has firmly opposed geopolitical plans aimed at consolidating Western hegemony and weakening the Palestinian resistance. This commitment has also had a direct impact on its domestic and foreign policy and influenced the alliances and conflicts that have shaped its destiny in recent decades.
Imperialist aggression
Since 2011, Syria has been the victim of imperialist aggression by the United States, NATO and regional allies such as Turkey and the Arab Gulf States. The civil war has been partly fuelled by external interventions supporting rebel groups, including jihadists, with the aim of undermining Syria, considered part of the so-called ‘axis of evil’ , but also to weaken its strategic position in the Middle East and to advance a process of fragmentation, strengthening the Western position in the region and, as a result, increasing control over energy resources. Despite sanctions, siege and immense political and military pressure, Syria has resisted for over a decade.
Which forces have taken power in Syria?
In this context, various forces that were initially considered terrorists, then renamed ‘Syrian rebels’, have repeatedly launched offensives against major Syrian cities, allowed the establishment of US military bases, taken in British and French soldiers and maintained direct relations with Israel, with the support of Turkey, Qatar and the US, taken power.
In the latest and most surprising offensive, which began in late November, they took control of Syria, reaching as far as the capital Damascus, sanctioning the fall of the Syrian Arab Republic and opening up new scenarios: the neutralisation of Syria and the role it played in the region, or even worse, the concrete danger of a split along ethnic-religious lines.
Impact on the resistance
The Syrian case has significant implications for the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance. Until now, Syria has been both a regional ally of the resistance formations and a logistical and operational support. These sudden developments risk undermining the Lebanese resistance’s ability to reopen the front with Israel and could lead to the Palestinian resistance having to yield under conditions that were previously considered non-negotiable for a possible ceasefire in Gaza. Therefore, a ceasefire may occur in the coming weeks due to the deteriorating conditions for the Palestinian resistance.
Zionist military aggression
In addition to Netanyahu’s claim of having played a decisive role in the fall of Syria through continuous air strikes, Israel did not wait and launched hundreds of air strikes that destroyed over 70% of Syria’s military capabilities, and initiated a land invasion into Syria to continue the annexation plan of Syria and the occupation of the Gol and arrived just 19 km from Damascus, in the midst of a complete silence from the armed groups that have taken control of Syria. In recent days, they have been busy welcoming the diplomatic delegations of Turkey and Qatar and proclaiming the end of the controlled economy, the end of subsidies in favour of the free market and the end of privatisation. In this context, it is worth noting that the US military presence in Syria continues to include several military bases such as Al-Tanf, and is scattered around the oil-producing areas under the control of the SDF.
Hopes for the future of Syria
We agree with the position expressed by the Palestinian resistance organisations in Syria: that is, the right of the Syrian people to self-determination – far from imperialist interference – that can maintain unity and avoid the division of Syria and, above all, that it can continue to support the resistance of the Palestinian people against the Zionist occupation.
We are also concerned about the situation of the Palestinian people in the cities and refugee camps in Syria and hope that their rights will not be violated and that the new scenarios will include their right to continue their liberation struggle.
Note:
See the article
- The challenges arising from the events in Syria by Gerhard Feldbauer
in the WELTEXPRESS.
