Syria's turmoil seems to serve as a proxy battleground in the larger context of the US-Israel-Iran rivalry, aimed at undermining Iran's regional influence. This strategic competition has fueled ongoing instability, with various factions vying for control, a pundit on Iranian affairs told Sputnik India.
The US and Israel seem to be leveraging these dynamics to counter Iranian expansion and reshape the regional balance of power. This has profound implications for Syria's future and the broader Middle East, according to Aimen Jamil, an expert on Middle Eastern affairs and formerly associated with Global Defense Insight.
"Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS*) remains a dominant force in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces. Despite being internationally designated as a terrorist organization, HTS has consolidated power, imposing its brand of Islamist rule. Its role in the region's dynamics is complex, encompassing both militant and administrative aspects," she explained.
In a discussion with a think tank affiliated with the Institute of Policy Studies in Islamabad, as well as a former Brigadier in Pakistan’s Army, he expressed uncertainty about the supporters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group involved in the ongoing uprising. He noted that there are several other rebel forces in Syria fighting alongside HTS.
"Syria has been capitalised on by Israeli and American forces, along with possibly other interested groups. For the past 25 years, there have been conflicts resembling a civil war in Syria. However, the Syrian government is backed by Iran and Russia. Therefore, the destabilization of Syria means a diminished role for Iran and, to some extent, Russia," Dr. Tughral Yamin told Sputnik India.
What Is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)?
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a notable Islamic extremist group that took center stage and gained infamy during the Syrian Civil War. Originally affiliated with Al-Qaeda, it later rebranded and distance itself from the global terror network while concentrating on consolidating power in northwestern Syria. As a result, HTS is designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, the United States, and several other countries. The group exerts control over significant portions of Idlib and its surrounding areas, regularly engaging in clashes with both Bashar Assad's forces and rival opposition factions.
*Terrorist organisation banned in Russia and other countries