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The sudden ouster of Bashar al-Assad from Syria, following a swift rebel offensive, triggered a complex and concerning chain of events. While Syrians celebrated the end of Assad's brutal 54-year reign, three major foreign powers – Israel, Turkey, and the United States – immediately launched military actions within Syrian borders. These actions, framed as preemptive self-defense measures to protect national interests, raise serious questions about the international legal order and the future of a nation already ravaged by years of civil war. Israel's response was particularly aggressive, exhibiting a disproportionate military response far exceeding what would be considered acceptable under international law for a neighboring country in similar circumstances.
Israel's actions involved a swift ground invasion from the occupied Golan Heights, seizing a demilitarized buffer zone, and launching over 350 airstrikes within 48 hours. This decimated Syria's military capabilities, leaving the nation vulnerable and effectively preventing any meaningful self-defense. The United States, under the Biden administration, offered tacit support for these actions, echoing Israel's justifications of preemptive self-defense against potential threats from rebel groups and jihadists. This stance highlights a disturbing double standard in international relations, where Israel appears to be held to a significantly lower standard of accountability than other nations engaging in similar military actions. The stark contrast with the international community's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine further emphasizes this inequitable application of international law.
The United States' response, while less extensive than Israel's, still involved significant airstrikes targeting Islamic State targets. This underscores the US administration's primary concern with containing the threat of jihadist groups and preventing the resurgence of ISIS within the power vacuum created by Assad's fall. However, this narrow focus on counter-terrorism risks overshadowing the larger issue of foreign intervention shaping Syria's future. The actions of Turkey further complicate the situation, with Turkish support for Syrian rebel groups and airstrikes against US-backed Kurdish forces highlighting the complex web of alliances and rivalries at play. This demonstrates a disregard for Syrian sovereignty and self-determination, perpetuating the cycle of violence and instability that has plagued the region for over a decade.
Turkey's involvement, primarily through its support of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), adds another layer of complexity. While HTS, a powerful Syrian rebel faction, has seized control of Damascus and other major cities, its past affiliation with al-Qaeda has led to its designation as a terrorist group by many Western powers. However, some international actors are now considering removing this designation, contingent on HTS's commitment to forming an inclusive transitional government. This represents a precarious balancing act, attempting to manage a situation fraught with internal divisions and external interference. The success of this endeavor is far from guaranteed, especially considering the powerful legacy of Assad's destructive foreign policy and the deep-seated sectarian and ethnic divisions within Syrian society.
The situation in Syria following Assad's fall is a stark illustration of how the absence of a clear, consistent application of international law and the prevalence of competing geopolitical interests can create a highly unstable and dangerous environment. The actions of Israel, the US, and Turkey demonstrate a blatant disregard for Syrian sovereignty and self-determination. While the removal of Assad is undoubtedly a positive step for the Syrian people, the immediate and forceful interventions of foreign powers threaten to undermine any hope for a peaceful transition and a Syrian-led reconstruction of the war-torn nation. The long-term consequences of this multifaceted intervention remain to be seen, but the immediate outlook suggests a continued period of instability and violence, fueled by external actors vying for control and influence.
The international community's response, characterized by a lack of unified condemnation of Israel's actions and a selective application of international law, further exacerbates the situation. The double standard applied to Israel, compared to the widespread condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlights the inherent biases and inconsistencies in the international system. This lack of accountability only emboldens actors willing to disregard international norms and prioritize their own interests. The potential for escalating conflicts and further human suffering is significant, particularly considering the presence of multiple armed factions, the deeply entrenched sectarian divisions, and the ongoing external interventions.
The future of Syria remains deeply uncertain. The Syrian people, who have endured immense suffering during years of civil war, now face the challenge of rebuilding their nation while grappling with the consequences of foreign interference. The success of any attempt to establish a stable and democratic government will depend critically on the extent to which external powers can be persuaded to prioritize a Syrian-led solution over their own narrow geopolitical interests. This requires a fundamental shift in international relations, moving beyond the double standards and selective applications of international law that have so clearly failed the Syrian people. The need for a truly unified and principled international response, based on the principles of self-determination and respect for national sovereignty, is paramount.
Source: Syria’s future must be determined by Syrians, not outside powers | Mohamad Bazzi