The few months of Al-Sharaa administration’s rule saw firm actions in retaliation for alleged attacks attributed to Hezbollah and pro-Assad supporters, and complete inaction towards Israel’s recurrent aggression.

Israel’s fierce campaign against Syria reveals that its all out multi-front war has become a reality.

Since the Western- and Turkish-backed government took control of Syria, there have been reports of large-scale killings of Alawites and other religious minorities in the country.

The last few days marked the worst cross-border conflict between the two countries since the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

The renewed attacks were described by Syrian activists and some countries as attempts to impose demographic cleansing and fait accompli policies.

The leader also emphasized that Iran does not have proxy forces in the region, but that its allies fight because of their belief in resisting oppression.

Following the fall of the Assad government, Israel has launched an aerial bombing campaign to demilitarize Syria while expanding into the Golan Heights in the South.

Ayatollah Khamenei accused the US and Israel of driving Syria’s crisis while expressing hope that Syrian youth will liberate all occupied territories and strengthen resistance against imperialism in the region

The surprise victory of HTS had been predicted in November by Iranian officials, who informed Assad about the weakness of the state’s defenses because of the sustained Israeli attacks on Syrian army positions, of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and of the war in Ukraine.

Iran denies the regime change in Syria will have much impact on resistance groups, particularly Hezbollah, claiming they are independent to geographical constraints.

The resignation and fleeing of Bashar al-Assad inaugurates a new chapter in the region that has been facing constant US and Israeli aggression for decades.

Vijay Prashad reflexiona sobre los últimos acontecimientos en Siria y lo que significan para la región de Asia Occidental.