Israel prevents Iran assisting Assad

(MENAFN) Iran was unable to provide military aid to former Syrian President Bashar Assad due to the threat of Israeli airstrikes, the Wall Street Journal reported. According to Syrian officials, Iran had informed Assad that any support would be limited or unavailable due to the risk posed by Israeli air attacks. Sources cited by the Journal revealed that an Iranian military plane attempting to deliver supplies to Syria had to turn back last week because of Israeli threats.

The situation escalated as armed opposition groups, including Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS), advanced on Damascus, seizing control of the capital. Assad's government, once backed by Iran and Russia, eventually crumbled as Russian forces withdrew, and the Syrian Army stood down. Assad himself fled the country, and Moscow confirmed that he had agreed to step down peacefully.

Tehran, which had been instrumental in helping Assad maintain power during the civil war, acknowledged the limitations of its support, citing Israel’s military actions as a significant factor. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel’s operations against Hezbollah and Iranian forces in Syria were key to Assad's downfall, while U.S. President Joe Biden credited American sanctions and military aid to Israel for shifting the balance in favor of the Syrian opposition.

Both Russia and Iran have called for a government in Syria that represents all factions of society and adheres to UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for free elections and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Despite Assad’s departure, both Moscow and Tehran have expressed their intent to maintain relations with Syria.

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