Rubio Warns of Imminent Collapse of Syrian Transitional Regime

Senator Marco Rubio warned that Syria’s transitional regime might collapse within weeks, potentially leading to a catastrophic civil war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused militant groups of ethnic cleansing amid reports of an attack on a Russian airbase. Recent changes in U.S. sanctions policy add another layer of complexity to the situation.

Senator Marco Rubio, during a session with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed a dire prediction about the Syrian transitional regime. He noted that the government may be just weeks away from collapse, which could trigger a civil war of significant proportions across the country. This assessment is attributed to the myriad challenges currently facing the regime, implying a potential fragmentation of Syria as a united state.

Adding to the turbulent situation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made strong allegations against radical militant factions within Syria. He accused these groups of committing ethnic cleansing and carrying out mass killings based on national and religious identities. Lavrov made these remarks during a Moscow reception commemorating the conclusion of the Orthodox Easter celebrations, yet he omitted specifics regarding which groups he had in mind.

Russia, a staunch supporter of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, operates two significant military bases in Syria: the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval facility. Since his removal from power, Assad, who belongs to the Alawite sect, has found refuge in Russia. Reports concerning an attack on the Hmeimim base surfaced, signaling a resurgence of violence in a region historically loyal to Assad.

The military base in question, located in northwest Syria, has been a focal point for recent sectarian strife, particularly after several Alawite individuals were reportedly killed in March. A Syrian security official indicated that the motive behind the latest attack on Hmeimim remains unclear and is under investigation.

A pro-Russian Telegram channel known as Military Informer recently circulated footage purportedly depicting a clash between Russian forces and Syrian fighters at the base. However, Reuters has been unable to verify the authenticity of this video at this time.

In a noteworthy shift, earlier this month, former President Donald Trump lifted long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria that had been in place during Assad’s governance. This move suggests a significant alteration in the United States’ policy approach towards the Middle East, with potential implications for the already volatile situation in Syria.

In summary, Senator Rubio’s alarming prediction about the imminent collapse of Syria’s transitional regime stresses the gravity of the current crisis. Concurrently, Lavrov’s accusations highlight the ongoing atrocities committed by militant factions. The dynamics are compounded by the recent violent attack on Russian military assets, revealing the tangled web of alliances and conflicts at play in the region. Furthermore, the lifting of U.S. sanctions by former President Trump suggests a shifting geopolitical landscape that could alter Syria’s trajectory even further.

Original Source: www.ynetnews.com