President-elect Donald Trump made a statement in response to the downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, attributing it to Russia losing a key ally in the Middle East due to its war with Ukraine. Assad reportedly fled Syria over the weekend as rebel forces, led by the terror group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), took over the capital of Damascus. Trump suggested that Russia, under Vladimir Putin, lost interest in protecting Assad because of its involvement in Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers have been wounded or killed.
Trump also mentioned that Russia and Iran are currently weakened, with Russia facing challenges from Ukraine and a struggling economy, while Iran is dealing with pressure from Israel. He called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to prevent further loss of life and potential escalation of the conflict.
Assad had maintained power in Syria with the help of allies in Iran and Russia for over a decade, but recent conflicts have left him in a weakened state, allowing terrorist rebels like HTS to seize the opportunity to topple his government. HTS, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, has received backing from Turkey in its efforts to overthrow Assad.
While Trump advocated for the United States to stay out of the Syrian conflict, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan stated that the Biden administration will not intervene militarily but will work to protect U.S. interests in the region and prevent the resurgence of ISIS. Sullivan emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of U.S. partners in the region, addressing the humanitarian situation, and preventing ISIS from regaining strength.
– https://www.pressrundown.com
