In the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s unexpected fall, a new chapter begins in Syria’s long and tortured history. For over a decade, foreign powers have meddled in the country’s affairs, each pursuing self-serving interests, and in doing so, they have exacerbated the violence and prolonged the suffering. Yet, as the revolution continues to unfold, it is clear that Syria’s people must now be free to determine their own future, without the interference of external actors.
From Russia to the US, Iran to Turkey, the outside world has continually meddled in Syria’s civil war, each seeking to gain strategic advantage. Russia, seeking regional influence and military dominance, has bombarded Syrian cities and supported the Assad regime. Iran’s militias have used Syria as a staging ground to extend their influence across the region, while Turkey has fought against Kurdish forces in the north. The US and the UK, preoccupied with the war on terror, have failed to prioritise the needs of the Syrian people, even as they fought to contain ISIS.
The irony of these international interventions is that, despite all their claims to protect Syria’s sovereignty, they have torn the country apart. Foreign powers have undermined the revolution, supported dictatorial regimes, and exacerbated divisions. For instance, Russia’s intervention in 2015 propped up Assad’s failing regime, while Iran’s involvement only deepened the sectarian conflict. Turkey’s support of rebel groups, while ostensibly aimed at fighting Assad, has led to further instability in the region, particularly in the Kurdish areas. Meanwhile, the US, under President Obama, abandoned its earlier support for Syrian rebels and shifted focus to ISIS, leaving many of those who had fought for a free Syria vulnerable to defeat.
The recent collapse of Assad’s regime has occurred largely without the help of foreign powers. It was the result of years of struggle by Syria’s people, who have borne the brunt of the violence. While the rise of Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) may not be the ideal solution for Syria, it highlights the failure of international efforts to support pro-democracy forces. In fact, foreign intervention has often undermined these movements, leaving the people of Syria with few choices but to turn to groups like HTS for leadership.
However, the international community, despite its track record of failure, continues to assert its influence over Syria’s future. Russia, Iran, and Turkey all proclaim that Syria’s “sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity” must be preserved. But this rhetoric rings hollow when these powers have spent years fighting for their own interests on Syrian soil. Israel, meanwhile, has launched hundreds of attacks on Syria, claiming the threat posed by Iranian-backed forces. While the Israeli government insists it is not interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, its actions speak otherwise. The recent territorial grabs in Syria and the constant military strikes show that Israel, like the other powers, cannot resist the temptation to shape Syria’s future according to its own agenda.
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These interventions only serve to deepen the crisis. Instead of allowing Syrians to rebuild their country, foreign powers are carving it up and undermining any hopes for peace. The international community’s self-serving behaviour has distorted the revolution, turning a people’s struggle for freedom into a geopolitical chess game. The West, in particular, is guilty of playing a dangerous game, shifting allegiances and failing to follow through on promises of support. Under Barack Obama, the US abandoned its “red line” on chemical weapons, and while President Trump initially promised to withdraw US forces, his administration continued to target ISIS with drone strikes.
Now, with Assad’s regime in tatters, Syria faces the prospect of further chaos. The country is ripe for manipulation by any power seeking to expand its influence. Iran and Russia, despite their claims to the contrary, are unlikely to relinquish their strategic foothold in the country. Israel, with its aggressive posture towards Syria, is no exception. While these countries argue that they are protecting Syria’s sovereignty, their actions tell a different story: they are only interested in preserving their own interests.
It is time for the world to step back and allow the Syrian people to chart their own course. The revolution, which began in 2011 as a call for freedom and dignity, must now be allowed to flourish. Syrians must be given the opportunity to rebuild their country and determine their own future, free from the interference of foreign powers. The international community must respect Syria’s sovereignty and support the people in their quest for self-determination.
Syria’s people have endured unimaginable suffering, but they have also shown resilience and determination. It is time for the world to recognise that it is their right to shape their own destiny, without being shackled by the meddling of self-interested foreign powers. The revolution may have been long and painful, but it is not over. Now, it is up to Syria’s people to decide what comes next.
