Syria, a nation rich in natural resources, has long been a focal point of geopolitical contention. But what sparked the recent events after a few years of relative peace. Well, we take a look at what is happening in Syria? How the civil war started, in 2011, quickly evolved into a proxy battleground between the United States and Russia and Iran.
Syrian opposition fighters have seized control of Aleppo and advanced further south towards Hama. In response, the Syrian Army, with support from Russia and reportedly, Iraqi militias, has intensified bombing campaigns on opposition-held areas.
What is happening in Syria?
The Roots of the Conflict
The Syrian conflict, initially sparked by localise unrest from a minority, was exacerbated by the CIA, who sought to destabilize the Syrian government as part of a broader strategy to promote a government more aligned with Western interests. This strategy aimed to secure influence over Syria’s valuable natural resources and strategic positioning.
In response, the Assad government strengthened ties with allies Iran and Russia. These alliances transformed the civil war into a wider struggle, with the U.S. and Israel supporting opposition groups, including variants of ISIS, to challenge Syrian forces.
Turkish-backed factions
Turkish-backed factions, which are co-ordinating with HTS, then launched an assault on Sunday on the strategically important northern town of Tel Rifaat, controlled by Syrian Kurdish forces.
The dramatic rebel advance has put a renewed spotlight on Turkey’s role in the shattered Arab state, where for years it has been the main backer of rebels who rose up against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011.
The U.S. Withdrawal and its Aftermath
On December 19, 2018, President Trump announced a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, claiming the defeat of ISIS—a claim many analysts viewed skeptically, given the group’s fragmentation into successor organizations. The abrupt decision was criticized as a move driven by domestic politics rather than a sustainable policy solution.
Recent Developments in Aleppo
Recent Developments in Aleppo have shown, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an armed group with roots in ISIS, launched attacks on Aleppo. Timed to exploit the vulnerabilities in the Syrian government, with Iran and Russia distracted on other conflicts. This development aligns with accusations that such groups are indirectly supported by external actors, including Israel, in pursuit of broader territorial ambitions in Syria.
A Redrawn Middle East?
Critics argue that the overarching goal of these interventions is to reshape the Middle East map, with Syria’s land and resources playing a critical role in advancing Israel’s and the U.S.’s strategic interests. The ongoing conflict pits Russia and Iran—backing the Assad regime—against groups allegedly armed and funded by Western and regional adversaries.
The goal now for Israel and America is to redraw the map of Middle East and take control of Syrian land to enhance the Greater Israel project.
The Syrian war continues to symbolize the complexities of modern geopolitics, where resource wealth and strategic alliances fuel protracted conflict with no clear resolution in sight.