Al-Assad Supports

Who Supports al-Assad?

The battle continues to rage on in Syria, and it is important to know who is contributing to the support of someone responsible for massacres, and the person who is one of the biggest dictators on the planet. Two major countries that are involved with the conflict in Syria are Russia and Iran who are both playing an important part in keeping the conflict alive.

Russia has had both strategic and financial interests in Syria for a long time. For the last four decades, Syria has also had Russia's only naval base in the Middle East at the port of Tartus on the Mediterranean Sea. Although the base is small and limited in its operations, it represents the last of Russian influence in the Middle East. This strategic naval base is an asset that Russia does not want to lose. Supporting the Al-Assad regime would help to ensure that this military place will be secure.

             

The next motive that Russia has for being involved with Syria concerns arms sales.

 Some reports estimate that 10% of the arms sales that Russia makes are with Syria.

Other reports say that arms sales from Russia to Syria total over $5 billion. This kind of economic support and investment provide a solid base for Russia to want to continue a close relationship with Syria.

Another very powerful country in the Syrian conflict is Iran. The relationship between Syria and Iran goes back to the Islamic revolution in 1979. Iran has been a very controversial country in the past and has very few allies in the region other than Syria. Iran is al-Assad's last regional ally, and Iran is able to secure a strategic advantage because being involved with Syria gives Iran access to the Mediterranean Sea.

Iran and Syria are also bound by religion. The greatest amount of Shiite Muslims in the world live in Iran. Shiite Muslims are against Sunni Muslims and the majority of the Syrian government are Alawites which is a branch of Shiite. Syria was Iran's only Arab ally throughout the war of Iraq which lasted eight years. Religious ties bring Iran and Syria closer together as they have a shared  Islamic background.

Even though Russia and Iran both support al-Assad, the reality is that al-Assad is guilty of murdering his people and those working against his regime. There is no reason that can justify keeping such a terrible leader in power.

Editor

Saudi Generale Fawaz

cameraman