Russia-Turkey face-off looms in Syria conflict
Last Updated on December 4, 2024 4:20 pm
The Syrian military deployed additional troops and carried out airstrikes in the northwest of the country on Sunday (December 1) to try to stop rebels. At the same time, Iran pledged to support the Syrian government in repelling the rebels’ unexpected offensive.
Iran has provided significant political and military support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria’s long-running civil war. But it is unclear what kind of support Tehran can offer Damascus in the latest fighting that began on Wednesday.
The rebels, led by the so-called jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have attacked the provinces of Aleppo and the neighboring Idlib province. They then headed for Hama province.
The escalation of fighting has opened the prospect of another window of instability in the Middle East, as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. This could lead to Russia and Turkey going directly to war with each other, as they both have vested interests in Syria.
The rebels announced their operation on Wednesday, just as a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was taking effect, raising hopes for regional peace.
The operation is a huge embarrassment for President Assad, and comes at a time when his allies – Iran and its proxies and Russia – are preoccupied with their own conflicts.
Iranian Foreign Minister Visits Damascus
According to a statement from Assad’s office, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Damascus and assured the Syrian leader that Tehran was ready to support the Syrian government’s counter-offensive.
Arab leaders, including Jordan’s King Abdullah II and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, have called Assad to express their solidarity.
Rebels captured most of Aleppo on Saturday and advanced into the surrounding countryside. They captured the city’s main water pumping station. However, Syrian Water Resources Minister Moataz Qattan told pro-government Sham FM radio that the pumping station was no longer functioning.
Rebels claimed to have entered the city of Hama, but this could not be independently confirmed. In Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib province, military vehicles abandoned by Syrian troops were seen lying on the side of the road.
Damascus normal, Aleppo panic
The rebels announced that they would continue their offensive as far as Damascus, but life in the Syrian capital was normal and there were no signs of panic or unrest.
But in the southeast of Aleppo, traffic jams were building on the main exit road as people tried to flee the fighting, and petrol stations were running out of fuel.
US position
According to pro-government Al-Mayadeen television, rebels also entered the northern town of Tel Rifaat, which until now was controlled by the US-backed Kurdish forces known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. In a statement, the rebels ordered the SDF to leave the area near Aleppo.
While the Kurds oppose the Syrian government, they oppose the Turkish-backed rebels. They accuse Turkey of trying to push the Kurds out of northeastern Syria.
Turkish officials say the rebels’ limited offensive was aimed at halting government offensives in rebel-held areas in recent weeks. But the operation has been expanded as government forces have rapidly retreated.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan told CNN’s “State of the Union” that the United States is closely monitoring the situation. There are 900 American troops in northeastern Syria, whose main task is to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State group. But they are far from the current fighting.
He said the U.S. designates the rebel groups leading the operation as terrorist groups. Washington is deeply concerned about their goals and plans.
Sullivan said that at the same time, the Assad regime, backed by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, is under pressure.