Assad Ousted in Syria

After twenty four years of rule, the Bashar-al-Assad regime has been overthrown in Syria by the rebels. They have captured Damascus, the capital of Syria. As per the reports, ousted President Bashar-al-Assad has fled to the Russian capital Moscow to take refuge with his family members. Loot and plunder was witnessed at the President’s residence. Syria has been witnessing a complex civil war for a long time due to the infighting among various sectarian groups. Assad belonged to the minority Alawite community in Syria. Before his assuming the reins of power Syria was ruled by his father, Hafez-al-Assad. People thought that after the Arab Spring in 2011 that there would be regime change too but Assad crushed the revolt. There has been a widespread discontent in Syria with the majority community feeling that the power and the state was in control of the Bashar-al-Assad’s loyalists who indulged in crushing the masses and denying them their genuine rights. Though after taking over the reins of power from his father Bashar has exhibited his liberal leanings by liberalising the economy and opening the markets but these gains benefitted the handful of elites. Protests that gradually intensified over the years started as resentment against the price rise, employment and other issues that concern the day to day issues. Assad’s forces crushed the protests and this led to the emergence of a civil war. This internal turbulence was exploited by the external forces that wanted to control West Asia. There is no doubt that these forces involved in the civil war comprise different factions but they were unanimous in achieving the one common goal and that is the dethronement of the Assad regime. And so far they have achieved their goal. It was the revolt against the Assad regime that kept them united. It converged their energies but now the million dollar question is whether these rebel forces will end their strife now? Rebels are controlling the North East and North West of Syria. However, Bashar-al-Assad managed to control the major territory of Syria in 2015 with the support of Russian forces and Iran’s help. For some time there seemed to be a lull but it turned out to be silence before the storm could strike with rebels asserting from 27th November. What must be noted is that Damascus has been captured by Hayat-al- Sham(HTS) led by Abu Mohammad-al-Julani. It was founded by Jabhat-al-Nusra in 2011 as the Al-Qaeda branch of Syria.In 2016 it drifted away and rechristened as Jabhat Fateh-al-Nusra(JFS) committed for the liberation of al-Sham(Levant). A rebel group that is involved in the regime change is the Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF).It comprises of Kurdish militants. The Turkish National Army is opposed to both Assad and the Kurds. Russia and Iran besides Hezbollah have been supporting the Assad regime,while US and Turkey are patronising the rebels.It is pertinent to mention that Assad has been the supporter of Palestine and thus antagonising Israel.Due to changing security and strategic situation in Iran,Russia and Hezbollah engaged against Israel Assad’s hold started withering away due to lack of armed support.It has to be seen as to what will be strategy of the rebel group that is now controlling the Syrian capital Damascus.The reason being that this group has been closely linked to the radical organisation Al Qaeda.As far as India is concerned it has maintained friendly relations with the erstwhile Assad regime. What will unfold in Syria, only time will tell.