Reasons behind fall of Syria

(MENAFN) Since October 7, 2023, the Middle East has been undergoing significant shifts, and one of the most shocking developments occurred on December 8, when Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government collapsed. The fall of Damascus to opposition forces and terrorist groups marked the end of the Ba'ath Party’s rule and has raised numerous questions about the region's future. The fall came after a long struggle, including Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hezbollah and Iran, which had supported Assad’s regime. Syria, a key player in the so-called "Axis of Resistance" against Israel, was deeply weakened both internally and externally, becoming the latest target of broader geopolitical strategies aimed at reshaping the region.

The rapid fall of Syria can be traced to several deep-rooted factors. The escalation in Idlib, which began on December 7, saw armed opposition forces, including Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), swiftly encircle and overrun the capital. The Syrian military collapsed almost overnight, with soldiers fleeing in panic, leaving the capital vulnerable. This sudden disintegration of Assad’s forces left the country in chaos, with both military and civilian sectors in disarray. While the opposition groups celebrated their victory in parts of Damascus, the country's new leadership – led by HTS – sought to reassure the people of Syria by promising a new era of peace, although concerns about the future remained high. The declarations from opposition leaders about a more peaceful future were overshadowed by the anxiety surrounding Syria’s political and economic stability after years of war.

Syria's downfall was largely due to a combination of internal weaknesses and external pressures. Internally, the Assad regime's failure to resolve longstanding economic and political issues contributed to widespread discontent. The country’s infrastructure collapsed, and corruption within the ruling elite deepened. The refusal to engage in political dialogue and a continued military approach to solving the conflict only aggravated the situation. Externally, Syria became a battleground for various geopolitical interests, with multiple regional and global powers intervening for their own strategic gains. Countries like Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Israel saw opportunities in Syria’s weakening, while Russia and Iran provided key support to Assad. However, these foreign interventions fueled the conflict and intensified the suffering, making the situation even more complicated.

The culmination of years of instability, economic hardship, and foreign intervention left Assad vulnerable to well-organized opposition forces. The erosion of support from his own allies, compounded by mounting sanctions and a declining economy, set the stage for the regime's eventual collapse. Now, the question is: what happens next? As Syria faces an uncertain future, the region as a whole is entering a period of transformation, and the role of external powers in shaping Syria’s future remains unclear.

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