Damascus | WTNS | Dec 08:A shocking revelation from Reuters has exposed a covert strategy by the United States, UAE, and Saudi Arabia to isolate Syria from its regional allies. Reports reveal these nations offered to lift crippling sanctions if President Bashar al-Assad distanced himself from Iran and the Axis of Resistance.
This proposal is part of a broader scheme to destabilize Syria and undermine its partnerships with Iran and Russia, pivotal players in the region. The disclosure sheds new light on the calculated moves by Western and regional powers to manipulate the Arab nation’s trajectory post-crisis.
The West’s Long War on Syria
The Syrian conflict, which erupted in 2011, has long been shaped by Western-backed insurgencies. Programs like the CIA’s “Operation Timber Sycamore” channeled billions into arming extremist factions, fueling groups like ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra. These efforts sought to topple Assad’s government and shift regional power dynamics, but the strategy backfired, creating a humanitarian catastrophe.
As Iran and Russia stepped in to aid Syria against these forces, the U.S. and Israel’s attempts to create rifts within the Axis of Resistance faltered. The alliance remains resilient, frustrating American and Israeli designs for the region.
The Caesar Act: Weaponizing Sanctions
The United States’ Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, one of the harshest sanction regimes, has crippled Syria’s economy. Enacted in 2019, it targeted key sectors like oil, construction, and banking, leaving ordinary Syrians in dire straits. Hyperinflation, unemployment, and poverty plague the country, while essential aid is obstructed.
The latest offer to Assad—ending sanctions in exchange for abandoning Iran—marks a continuation of this economic warfare. Syrian officials, however, remain wary of such diplomatic traps, recalling similar overtures in the past, such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s failed bid to sever Syrian-Iranian ties.
A Cautionary Tale
Observers have drawn comparisons to Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, who fell after attempting to reconcile with Western powers. Assad, keenly aware of these precedents, continues to stand by Iran, crediting the partnership for preserving Syria’s sovereignty.
FSA commander calls for Israeli support
A commander from the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) group has reportedly expressed hope for friendly relations with Israel, urging the occupying regime to extend both political and military support for their insurgency against the Syrian government.
In an article published on Friday, the Times of Israel quoted an unnamed FSA commander as stressing the need for a clear political stance from the Israeli regime.
“We have enough fighters on the ground. What we need from Israel is a clear political stance against the Assad regime,” he stated.
The commander also called for increased aerial support from the Israeli regime, suggesting that the regime should attack the forces in Syria “wherever it sees them.”
“We are trying to block them on the roads and ambush them, but Israel should also take action from the air,” said the commander.
Highlighting the potential for friendship, he noted that the armed group is open to alliances “with everyone in the region – including Israel.”
A Region on Edge
As the December 20 expiration of the Caesar Act approaches, tensions mount over the next steps in this geopolitical chess game. Syria’s steadfast alignment with Iran and Russia signals a refusal to capitulate, raising questions about the West’s next move in this protracted conflict.
This revelation underscores the ongoing struggle for control in the Middle East, where alliances and resistance continue to shape the region’s future.
