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Kerala Kaumudi Online
Thursday, 13 February 2025 8.18 AM IST

Coup in Syria

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The nearly five-decade-long rule of the Assad family in Syria has come to an end. Rebel forces have taken control of Damascus and with President Bashar al-Assad seeking refuge in Russia, Syria is finally freed from the shackles of dictatorship, oppression, and bloody conflicts that have plagued the nation for decades. However, the possibility of re-establishing full democracy and peace in Syria through Assad's exile is slim. This is because the current organization in control of Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has close ties with Al-Qaeda. The US-backed Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces, which are helping them, are opposed to Al-Qaeda. The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army has a different goal than all of them.

Although these groups with conflicting interests united to confront the common enemy, Bashar al-Assad, there is no guarantee that this alliance will continue in the future. As a result, the country's future is likely to remain in the grip of uncertainty. In 1971, former President Hafez al-Assad established the foundation of familial rule in Syria. Bashar became president in 2000 following Hafez's death due to a heart attack. Bashar's rule initially raised high expectations. Unlike his father, Bashar did not live in the Presidential Palace in Damascus, instead residing in a modest home elsewhere. He released political prisoners and allowed discussions of politics, art, and culture in public spaces.

However, Bashar faltered when it came to economic reforms, which led to significant inequalities in society. Rural populations, workers, and businesspeople began to distance themselves from Bashar's Ba'ath Party, while citizens demanded multiparty democracy and greater freedoms. In response, Bashar initiated brutal measures, revealing the fangs of dictatorship. Prisons were filled with opponents, and a state of fear emerged where secret police could detain anyone at any moment. Nearly 4 lakh people have lost their lives from the start of the civil war in Syria in 2011 till now. Twice as many people have fled the country.

The rebels in Syria started a strong counterattack in the context of the conflict involving Israel, Palestine, Iran and others in West Asia. The rebels seized the opportunity as Russia and Iran, which had supported Bashar, became embroiled in their own challenges. Turkey provided strong support to the rebels, while diplomatic experts observed that the U.S. also played a significant role behind the scenes. The Assad government maintained friendly relations with India, but it is uncertain how the new rebel leadership will approach India. As West Asia becomes a hotspot of conflict, the coup in Bangladesh further heightens India's concerns.

TAGS: SYRIA
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