The Syrian crisis is experiencing acute tension as President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have been deposed by opposition forces in Damascus, which is the first time an opposing faction has claimed to have control over the first ever. After many months of conflict, shifting allegiances, and territorial disputes across Syria, this statement was made. If confirmed, this would be an important milestone in the civil war which has been ongoing since 2011.
The Syrian conflict groups have stated that the FSA and other armed factions have successfully taken over the western part of the capital. The statement goes on to say that several other parts of the country have been captured, adding that the al-Assad may have already been captured while some factions allege that he might have fled. Should it turn out to be true, it would be one of the signs that the period of al-Assad’s absence from the capital has started and one he might never return.
A unified opposition usually provided his stronghold of al-Assad forces in Western Damascus extending to over a few suburbs and had sustained serious attacks by fighting back, going attacks where feasible but only ineffectively disturbing direct borders. Now those structures are being cursed and turned into outward remaining boasting, sustaining violence, bulldozing down buildings, flattening structures and overpowering the regime.
The claim is surprising, because it has been reported that one of the major strongholds of the Assad regime during the civil war has been Damascus.
Lamentably, the account provided by the interview subject regarding the city of Aleppo is definite. Its description creates an impression of a city that has been buried in war and besiegement placing its inhabitants into unknown depths of sadness. With the help of armed soldiers, oppression’s primary goal is to maintain order and rule over disloyal citizens.
This under the premise that this is true, it would mean that a number of international strategies proposed to unseat al-Assad, and many rebel fractions will have struggled for many years to come. I also think, that the interview is quite fearful and traumatizing in nature, as most of the surroundings make it difficult for residents to go about their daily lives due to the nakedly violent activities taking place. Homes started to turn into cages with inhabitants rampaging for clear and proper guidelines as to how the violence can be curbed.
Opposition groups have been using social media platforms as the main vehicle for expressing their views given the communction blockade installed in the country. Multimedia content that appears to show armed opposition soldiers and their ability and competence to inspect key government premises add an uncertain debate concerning its legitimacy. Delivering resources for talent, people, and even infrastructure will become the new means of waging warfare under a globalized society.
This makes the crumbling and paralyzing condition of Aleppo in a bid to unpeople and suffocate disloyal civilians seem even more senseless. The region could only be absolutely described by removing any estimates as to what president Bashar al assad could be doing or planning. Reports regarding his absolute whereabouts sounded nothing short of baffling – some leaders said he was in hiding whilst many stated he didn’t even bother staying in the region and fled with his family. The case facing Syria is one of pure ambiguity, which is only intensified due to a lack of public statements that would have normally clarified the validity standing behind these claims.
Focussing attention onto aspects facing global interweavement, the dramatic revolution and the fall of Bashar Al-Assad has put Syria on the global stage, simultaneously attracting numerous international actors, diplomats and leaders, many of whom were put into controversy in order to unseat previously mentioned leaders. There were too many moving parts and shifting dynamics that entities focusing on stabilisation had to witness.
The USA has still today refrained from completely endorsing the developed situation while at the same time supporting previously some government-opposing forces. In the same fashion, Turkey and many Gulf countries that have supported anti-Assad groups have also voiced the same opinion due to the fact that the opposition seems to be doing the same as well.
On the contrary, Russia, an Al-Assad government supporter has on the other hand remained mute about the whole saga but is expected to keep its support for the loyalist. This has been a long standing problem between Syria and Russia and it has likely resulted in the involvement of Russia military support for Syria in hopes of Al-Assad retaining his power over the nation without any change moving forward.
There are movements that Russia has taken in the past that allowed Al-Assad to remain politically sound and true, and that loss essentially shifts the coping power of Iran in that region. There has been significant strain working and financing al-Assad, which has in itself resulted in Iran as a witness in this great civil war.
Any opposition against Assad as the people of Syria have witnessed, gave rise to havoc and turmoil which led to displacement, crippling injuries and greater mass untimely deaths. Throughout that war, on several occasions, even women and children had to be a witness to increased violence across the nation which made most of the country, including the capital dominated by the combat.
For other regions of Syria, it’s evident that with all the degradation, loss, and infrastructural havoc that has ensued with the change in power, there will be more added violence for that region, while time will serve as destruction for the rest.
The destruction of homes, important buildings and facilities has already led people to an emergency. And this recent event, if anything raises these issues.
What do you think will come in the future for the Syrian Conflict?
There is still not enough evidence to claim that oppositions are in control in Damascus and that they have been able to displace Bashar al-Assad but the consequences of this situation could be intriguing. If this is the case then it might be pointers of significant potential shift in the power dynamics of the Syrian civil war. Not only will this define the political future of al Assad but it is likely the presence and role of other countries involved in the war will also change.
For the opposition, capture of the capital and hijack of al-Assad’s regime will be a big win stage, however there are still explanations on how to integrate post war administration and sustain control. Losing in the large urban area of Damascus will be a massive loss for syrian president but it still is a mystery if the supporters can bring strength to push others back or if al Assad can push them all back.
The international community observing and involved in the situation will hope for a political resolution as the existing battles are extreme, however this situation will further complicate the prospects of peace.
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