The demise of Bashar al-Assad in Syria could leave Israel threatened by the country’s new leadership and could also make the regime in Iran more vulnerable, an expert told the Daily Express.


Last week, Syrian rebels led by the Islamic militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept through Syria’s major cities, forcing Assad to flee on Sunday.


It was a historic moment that ended the Assad family’s 53-year rule, marked by brutal repression and violence.


Simon Waldman, a Middle East expert at King’s College London, says Assad’s fall could have significant consequences for other Middle Eastern countries – including Iran and Israel.


HTS leader – Abu Mohammad al-Jolani – has tried to reassure the West, saying this week that the main threat to Syria comes “from the Iranian militias, Hezbollah and the regime that committed the massacres we are witnessing today.” to see.”




But his ties to al-Qaeda remain a concern Israel and Western allies. The HTS is a banned terrorist organization in Great Britain and has roots in Osama Bin Laden’s terror group. In recent years, however, the group and its leader have tried to clean up their image and share more tolerant messages with Syria’s minorities.


Mr Waldman told the Daily Express: “HST’s main concern in the short to medium term is to consolidate power in Syria. HTS will want to purge institutions of all Assad supporters.


“HTS claims it will have a technocratic government, but best believe these technocrats would keep their mouths shut in criticizing HTS or its ideology.


‘In the long term this could very well be a threat Israel. It is very unlikely that there will be a peace treaty between the two countries Israel and soon Syria.”


Israel and Syria remain locked in a territorial dispute over the Golan Heights, two-thirds of which Israel occupied since 1967.


After the Assad regime collapsed, Israel has sent troops to establish a buffer zone on the Golan Heights, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the area will remain under his country’s jurisdiction for “perpetuity.”


Mr Netanyahu said that too Israel wants a relationship with Syria, but warned: “If the new regime in Syria allows Iran to reestablish itself, or allows the transfer of Iranian weapons to Hezbollah, we will respond strongly and demand a heavy price.”




Mr. Waldman also highlights how Assad’s demise in Syria could have drastic consequences for the regime in Iran.


The Iranian-backed Hezbollah played a crucial role in keeping Assad in power during the Syrian civil war. However, the group has been severely damaged Israel‘s recent attacks in Beirut, Lebanon.


Meanwhile, the Iranian-backed Hamas in Gaza has been nearly dismantled Israelongoing war in the Palestinian region.


Mr. Waldman says this, combined with the Iranian regime’s domestic fragility, will make the Islamic Republic’s leader, Ayatollah Khamanei, more vulnerable.




He added: Several things have made the Iranian regime vulnerable. Assad has fallen, Hamas is barely functioning anymore and Hezbollah has disintegrated. The leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei, is ill and may not live much longer, so he has prepared his son to replace him.


“Many Iranians may not like this and may take to the streets. The country has already experienced periods of civil unrest. The Islamic Republic fears for the future of its regime.”


Mr. Waldman added that the Iranian regime will respond to recent events by “doubling down on its nuclear weapons project.”


Ayatollah Khamenei has already expressed his anger after Assad’s ouster, labeling it an American and Israeli plot.


He claimed: “There should be no doubt that what happened in Syria is the product of a joint American and Zionist plan. Yes, a neighboring government in Syria played and continues to play an obvious role in this regard – everyone sees this – but the main conspirator, mastermind and command center are in America and the Zionist regime.


‘We have proof. This evidence leaves no room for doubt.”


On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the Middle East to help facilitate a peaceful transition of power in Syria.


He added that Syria needs international support after decades of dictatorial rule.



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