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Regime Maintains Silence: Assad Continues "Self-Distancing" from Regional Conflict
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The Syrian regime's silence regarding the escalation in Lebanon suggests a possible strategic shift in Damascus' regional policy, which may affect the balance of power in the region
As military escalation continues on the Lebanese-Israeli border, observers are noting the striking silence of Syrian regime president Bashar al-Assad. Since sending a condolence message to Lebanese Hezbollah following the death of its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in late September, Assad has made no notable comment on the rapidly evolving developments in the region.
A series of recent moves have raised questions about a possible change in the Syrian position. Israel recently removed landmines and erected barriers on the border between the occupied Golan Heights and the demilitarized strip on the border with Syria, amid Damascus' complete silence.
In a notable development, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Syrian regime forces confiscated two Hezbollah ammunition depots in the Damascus countryside area, sparking speculation about the nature of the relationship between the two parties.
Analyzing the situation, Syrian journalist Abdul Hamid Tawfiq believes that the region is heading towards fundamental changes. He added in a statement to "Al-Arabiya.net" that Syria today is not in a position to be part of complex regional calculations, given its inability to effectively influence due to years of war and economic sanctions.
Tawfiq indicates that Syria may be facing two options: either deepening its relations with Arab countries, especially Saudi Arabia, or facing the possibility of escalating conflict on its territory. The expert favors the first option based on recent data.
Tawfiq also expects a rearrangement of Syrian-Iranian relations in a different manner, pointing out that the new regional context may force Syria to reduce its relations with Tehran.
At the same time, Israel continues its raids on sites in Syria that it describes as linked to Iran, while maintaining silence about these operations. The pace of these raids has escalated since Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023.
The Syrian position remains ambiguous amid these developments, as Assad continues his policy of "self-distancing" without issuing official statements clarifying his stance on current events. This silence raises questions about the future role of Syria in the regional equation and the nature of its relations with its traditional allies.
Levant-Al Arabiya
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