-Analysis-
PARIS – Bashar al-Assad’s departure had only just been confirmed when three foreign countries began airstrikes on various parts of Syrian territory. Not much has been said about this in the far more spectacular context of the fall of a half-century-old regime. But these airstrikes confirm a longstanding reality: Syria is a battleground for regional conflicts, and its sovereignty remains to be reclaimed.
The three countries that carried out airstrikes did so for different reasons. Turkey targeted the northeast, the United States struck in the center, and Israel hit the south. Each has its own agenda and role in the conflicts of the Near and Middle East. And without coordination, their first reflex was to bomb Syrian territory at a time of uncertainty, after realizing that the Russians and Iranians were now out of the picture.
For the latest news & views from every corner of the world, Worldcrunch Today is the only truly international newsletter. Sign up here.
Turkey was the country least surprised by the lightning offensive that brought down Assad. Some of the organizations involved are under its control and would not have intervened without its approval.
Turkey’s military moves
It is no surprise either that Ankara’s first move was to deploy the Syrian National Army, a pro-Turkish armed group, toward areas held by the Kurds in northeastern Syria. Turkish air power bombed the city of Manbij, which had been controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-dominated group. There were numerous casualties.
The first day post-Assad was, therefore, not a day of peace everywhere, and it is feared that northeastern Syria will see an increase in clashes. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the influence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) from Turkey over Syrian Kurdish groups. His goal is, if not to eradicate them, at least to create a buffer zone along the border, where his army and Syrian allies will have control.
The situation becomes more complicated considering that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are under the protection of the United States, with around 900 U.S. special forces stationed in the region. These Kurdish fighters played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State and the recapture of their capital, Raqqa, alongside Western forces.
During his first term as president, Donald Trump had wanted to withdraw these U.S. troops but was dissuaded by his generals and European allies.
Israel’s strategy
On Sunday, the United States also bombed several positions of the Islamic State, which has not been completely eradicated. Paradoxically, these American operations can be interpreted as support for Syria’s new rulers, helping to prevent a resurgence of ISIS, a group with which they are in direct opposition.
The third country, Israel, wasted no time either. On Sunday, Israel took control of positions abandoned by the Syrian army on Mount Hermon, at the border with Israel and Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the occupation was defensive and temporary. Egypt strongly protested the seizure of Syrian territory.
Israel took advantage of the transition to destroy military infrastructure.
Israeli warplanes also carried out massive airstrikes against very specific targets, including a research center near Damascus, known for its role in Assad’s chemical weapons program. Israel took advantage of the transition to destroy military infrastructure, air bases, planes and helicopters on the ground, as well as radar stations.
Among the challenges facing the new Syrian authorities, one of the most complex will be restoring the country’s sovereignty in the face of these foreign actors who behave as though there is no state. This will not be achieved without pain.
