Rubio Warns of Imminent Collapse of Syrian Transitional Government

Senator Marco Rubio warned that the Syrian transitional authority could collapse within weeks, potentially leading to a severe civil war. Russia’s Lavrov accused militant groups of ethnic cleansing as violence escalates. Additionally, Trump lifted longstanding U.S. sanctions on Syria, indicating a policy shift.

Senator Marco Rubio expressed grave concerns during a recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee session, suggesting that the Syrian transitional government may be only weeks away from collapse. He attributed this dire outlook to the substantial challenges that the authority faces, warning that a complete breakdown could lead to a civil war of unprecedented scale, effectively dividing the nation. Rubio stated, “It is our assessment that, frankly, the transitional authority, given the challenges they’re facing, are maybe weeks, not many months, away from potential collapse and a full-scale civil war of epic proportions—basically the country splitting up.”

These alarming comments coincided with accusations made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who blamed radical militant groups in Syria for engaging in what he termed ethnic cleansing against various national and religious groups. Lavrov made this assertion at a Moscow event commemorating the conclusion of the Orthodox Easter, without naming the specific groups involved in these reported atrocities.

Russia, a staunch ally of the deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, continues to operate two military bases in Syria—namely the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval facility. Assad himself, a member of Syria’s Alawite sect, was granted asylum in Russia after his ousting from power. Recent reports indicate that the Hmeimim airbase, situated in the northwestern part of Syria, was targeted in an attack earlier this week. This region, which was once firmly under Assad’s control, has faced an uptick in sectarian violence starting in March, culminating in the deaths of numerous Alawites.

The motives behind the recent assault on the military base remain unclear, as noted by a Syrian security official based in Latakia, who mentioned that an investigation is currently underway. Notably, a pro-Russian Telegram channel known as Military Informer claimed to have shared video footage demonstrating a clash between Russian personnel and Syrian fighters at the airbase; however, Reuters has been unable to independently verify these claims.

Adding to the shifting dynamics, earlier this month, former President Donald Trump authorized the lifting of long-standing U.S. sanctions against Syria, a move that indicates a potential reorientation of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly concerning Assad’s regime. The implications of these actions and the regional tensions remain to be seen as the situation continues to unfold.

In summary, Senator Rubio’s recent remarks underscore the precarious state of Syria’s transitional government, with predictions of imminent collapse leading to a severe civil war. Coupled with Russia’s accusations against radical militant groups, the situation remains tense. Furthermore, the recent removal of U.S. sanctions signals a possible shift in American foreign policy, adding another layer to an already complicated landscape in the region.

Original Source: www.ynetnews.com