Khamenei Urges Syrians to Resist New Rebel Government Amid Assad’s Fall

In a recent address on December 22, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called on Syrians to resist the newly emerging rebel-led government after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Khamenei emphasized that the uprising was orchestrated by the West, urging Syrians, particularly the youth, to "stand with strong will against those who designed and those who implemented the insecurity."

The Syrian government's collapse began on December 8, when the U.S.-designated terrorist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and its allies launched a successful blitz offensive against Assad's forces. Following this defeat, Assad sought asylum in Russia, after over five decades of authoritarian rule. HTS, which has long sought to overthrow Assad, has since moved swiftly to establish an interim government, led by Riad al-Asaad. The new leadership has expressed confidence in uniting the various factions that toppled Assad.

Despite these developments, Khamenei remains firm in his belief that a faction aligned with Iran's Islamic Republic will ultimately prevail in Syria. Meanwhile, the HTS-backed transitional government insists that it will protect the rights of all Syrians.

Tensions Escalate with Turkish Support for HTS

On December 22, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus. The details of their meeting were not disclosed, but Turkey has been a long-time supporter of HTS in its efforts to remove Assad from power. Turkey’s involvement further complicates the situation, as Syria’s future hinges on foreign influence, including from regional powers like Iran and Turkey.

The fall of Assad is a significant blow to Iran, as it marks the erosion of Tehran’s influence in Syria and the broader Middle East. In recent months, Iran's regional proxies, part of the so-called "Axis of Resistance," have suffered setbacks. In Gaza, Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, a group backed by Tehran, has severely weakened the organization. The conflict even spread to Lebanon, where Hezbollah, another Iranian ally, has been weakened by Israeli attacks.

Khamenei has denied claims that Iran lost its proxy forces, insisting that Iran does not rely on proxies for its actions in the region. Instead, he stated, “If one day we plan to take action, we do not need proxy forces.”