Aleppo’s Change of Guard

Just a few facts and opinions I have collected from our Syrian friends:

 Syria is the land entry point to the Middle East. The Syrian war has been described as the biggest proxy war in recent times. Assad was backed by part of the Syrian population not because they did not see his faults but as a symbol against foreign interventions and the division of Syria.

Since the beginning of the war in 2011, Assad has ruled over the main part of the country, including the four major cities, Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, and Hamas. He was able to do so with the support of Russia and Iran, present in Syria since the 1970s.

Turkey, Qatar, and the West have been backing anti-regime forces, including HTS (former Al Nusra, former Al Quaeda). Despite its name, the Syrian National army is a wholly Turkish-owned entity

Without Russia (in Ukraine) and Iran (backing Hezbollah against Israel), and after over a decade of war, violence, and severe international sanction, Assad has finally failed now to protect Syria, and he is probably in Russia.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has promised a new Syria for everyone of every religion and political creed, in peace and prosperity. The biggest danger would be to end up fractioned like Iraq and Libya, Islamized or both.

There is also the danger of this new regime falling into the trap of foreign aid and loans that come with hidden political conditions. Syria has resources that if properly managed, will allow the state to be rebuilt without losing its sovereignty

The future will tell us what the new Syria will be like. The immensely resilient Syrians are tired and ready for the recovery of people and the rebuilding of the sovereign state. STAY IN TOUCH