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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s Fall Amid Turkish Involvement
DUBAI (Reuters) – In the days leading up to his resignation, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed serious concerns to Iran’s foreign minister regarding Turkey’s backing of Sunni rebel forces seeking to unseat him, as conveyed by two Iranian officials this week.
Assad’s five-decade family rule came to an abrupt end when he fled to Moscow on Sunday, where he was granted asylum. His removal is considered a significant setback for the Iran-led “Axis of Resistance,” which stands in opposition to the influences of the U.S. and Israel in the Middle East, reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape of the region.
As the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously associated with al-Qaeda, gained control of key cities and pushed towards the capital, Assad engaged with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Damascus on December 2. During this meeting, Assad voiced his frustration over what he perceived as Turkey’s escalating attempts to dislodge his government. Araqchi reassured him of Iran’s unwavering support and acknowledged the need to address these concerns with Ankara.
The following day, Araqchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, where he conveyed Iran’s serious apprehensions regarding Turkey’s support for the advancing rebels. According to a senior Iranian official, the discussion was marked by tension, as Iran expressed its displeasure with Turkey’s alignment with U.S. and Israeli interests, which directly challenge Iran’s regional allies.
In response, Fidan placed the blame for the ongoing crisis squarely on Assad, arguing that his failure to engage sincerely in peace negotiations and his authoritarian governance were significant contributors to the conflict’s escalation. A source from the Turkish foreign ministry later indicated that Fidan’s remarks were mischaracterized, and Araqchi did not relay Assad’s message to Turkey, although specifics were not provided.
In a press statement in Doha, Fidan noted that the Assad regime had squandered valuable time to remedy Syria’s deep-rooted issues, resulting in a gradual deterioration and eventual collapse of authority.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, commented on Wednesday that Assad’s ousting was part of a strategic scheme orchestrated by the United States and Israel. He hinted that another neighboring country also played a role, widely interpreted to mean Turkey.
As a NATO member, Turkey has actively supported opposition factions aiming to overthrow Assad since the civil war erupted in 2011. The Turkish government has established control over considerable areas in northern Syria, particularly following multiple cross-border operations targeting the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia.
Assad’s exit represents a critical loss for both Iran and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group that has sustained an alliance with Damascus. Iran’s relationship with Assad enabled it to extend its influence across a land corridor from its western border through Iraq and into Lebanon, facilitating arms transfers to Hezbollah.
Throughout the ongoing conflict, Iran has invested billions in stabilizing Assad’s regime, even deploying its Revolutionary Guards to ensure his survival. Hezbollah also contributed significantly by sending fighters to assist Assad, although in the past year, many were redeployed to Lebanon to confront renewed hostilities with Israel, further straining the Syrian government’s military capabilities.
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