Assad’s Downfall: Impact on the Axis of Resistance and Palestinian Struggle

After the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s authoritarian government in Syria, a lot of mixed reactions are being seen in Syria and outside. The Syrian people have rid themselves of the cruel and authoritarian rule of the Assad family, which ruled over Syria for more than 50 years. While the Syrians are celebrating their freedom from his regime, there are also fears about the future.

The Post-Assad Era: Geopolitical Shifts and Regional Challenges

Outside Syria, a mixture of reactions is observed. Israel has celebrated the fall of this government and expressed satisfaction over the situation. Right after Assad’s regime fell, Israel immediately attacked Syria, escalated its military operations, and occupied the Golan Heights buffer zone, violating the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. For Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah, it is a significant defeat in Syria. While they held influence in Syria during Assad’s government, their control has definitively ended in the region, while their adversary Israel’s dominance has increased, posing a significant threat to them.

While there is uncertainty about what will happen after the fall of Assad’s regime, a question arises about its implications for the Palestinian cause and how it will affect the “Axis of Resistance.” Bashar al-Assad posed himself as a friend of Palestine and a key supporter of the Axis of Resistance. While Palestinian armed groups were often found at odds with the regime, and he cannot be called a major player for Palestine’s liberation in Syria, nor did he take any specific or major steps for it, yet indirectly, he was helpful to the Palestinian cause.

During his government, Hezbollah and Iran could use Syrian soil against the Zionist state of Israel, as Bashar al-Assad was an ally. During his government, these powers had influence in the region, which seems to have weakened after his regime fell. This fact cannot be ignored that he killed and detained many Palestinian refugees in Syria, just as he did with the Syrians. However, that goes into another debate, which is not relevant to the current situation. Overall, the agenda of Palestinians was somehow well served during his government.

For sure, Syrians have been fighting for decades to achieve their freedom, which they have achieved by ending the decades-long authoritarian rule of the Assad family. However, this regime’s fall was certainly backed by Israel and the US, given Israel’s interests in Syria. Some people argue that this undermines the Syrians’ struggle for freedom. While the Syrians were genuinely fighting for their freedom, it was definitely backed by Israel, as this serves Israel’s interests and increases its dominance in the Middle East.

Bashar al-Assad’s Downfall: What Lies Ahead for Syria?

When Bashar al-Assad’s government was toppled and the rebel groups took over Damascus, the Palestinian armed groups congratulated the Syrian people on achieving liberation from the authoritarian rule of the Assad family. Hamas congratulated the Syrian people, stating: “Hamas congratulates the brotherly Syrian people on their success in achieving their aspirations for freedom and justice, and we call on all components of the Syrian people to unite their ranks.” Though the resistance groups have congratulated them, deep down they are seriously concerned about their future.

If we examine how the rebel groups or anti-regime Syrians view the Palestinian cause, we find that they support the Palestinian liberation movement or the “Axis of Resistance.” Before the fall of Assad’s government, “a group of over 100 prominent Syrian opposition activists, humanitarians, and journalists published a letter of solidarity with the Palestinian people and their fight for liberation from Israeli colonization and occupation,” according to Arab News. But the question arises: How will they support the Palestinian cause?

For Iran and Hezbollah, it is a major loss, as their ally regime has fallen. Iran and Hezbollah could not help Assad’s government, as both were preoccupied with their own conflicts with Israel. Iran used to supply weapons to Hezbollah and help the Resistance Axis through Syria. Former Pakistani diplomat Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, speaking to Dawn News, says, “It is a major setback for Iran and Hezbollah, whose influence in the Middle East will decrease after the fall of Assad’s government.”

Now that Syria is not under their control, it does not mean it is the defeat of the Axis of Resistance. They will utilize other ways to carry out their operations. However, their power will not remain as it was, and they will undoubtedly face several challenges.

Western Democracy and the Contradictions of Justice in Gaza

Israel is more than happy and is taking credit for the fall of Assad’s regime. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video message celebrating the fall of Assad’s regime and called it “a historic day.” In the video message, he said, “This collapse is a direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad’s main supporters.” Later, he released a video message for the people of Iran, saying: “Your oppressors spend over $30 billion supporting Assad in Syria. Today, only after 11 days of fighting, his regime collapsed into the dust. Your oppressors spent billions supporting Hamas in Gaza. Today, their regime lies in ruins. Your oppressors spent over $20 billion supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon. In a matter of weeks, most of Hezbollah’s leaders, its rockets, and thousands of its terrorists went up in smoke.” This proves Israel is surely behind the whole incident.

Right after Assad’s regime fell, Israel started its military operations in Syria and took over the Golan Heights, violating the 1974 agreement. Syria is under Israel’s control, which is Israel’s win, but not really the defeat of the “Axis of Resistance.”

Israel has definitely won in Syria for now, but only in the short term. Syria was used by the militant groups that resisted the oppression of the Zionist regime. The influence of the resistance groups is weakened, and it will be difficult for them to operate, but not impossible. They will find new ways, but it will undoubtedly be challenging. Now, the matter is in the hands of the new Syrian government. It remains to be seen whether the new government in Syria will help the Palestinian resistance movement and how. Concluding the argument, it is a major setback for the Palestinian cause and a win for Israel in the contemporary situation, but the struggle against the cruelty of the Zionist regime will continue.