The fall of Assad: chaos and protests – who rules Syria now?

The fall of Assad: chaos and protests – who rules Syria now?

The situation in Syria has worsened dramatically: after the overthrow of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad by a rebel alliance led by the Islamist group Hajat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), violence has increased. How oe24.at Reportedly, more than a dozen interim government security forces fell in an ambush by Assad supporters in Tartus governorate. 14 people were killed and ten injured. This attack is seen as an attack by “remnants of the criminal regime,” which was still trying to retain influence, especially after the end of Assad's rule.

Angry protests and religious tensions

Insecurity in the country is heightened by video footage showing the desecration of an Alawite shrine in Aleppo, sparking massive protests in several cities. These events further escalate religious tensions as the Alawites, Assad's religious group, fear for their safety. Protests have already led to a nighttime curfew in Homs, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. People are aware that Assad's remaining supporters could try to cause trouble, as well Deutschlandfunk determines. The interim government's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, also called on Iran not to interfere in the new political order in Syria.

Assad's flight to Russia has not only local but also geopolitical implications. Iran, which has supported Assad for years, now finds itself in a weakened position and must rethink its strategy. Historically, Syria has been of enormous importance to Iran, which pursues chapters in the “axis of resistance” against Israel. The fall of Assad could significantly tip the regional balance of power, which experts see as a significant setback for Iran's influence in the region. Developments in Syria therefore remain tense and uncertain as the new government attempts to restore the country's shattered peace.