\n
The end of the Assad family’s five-decade rule will reshape the balance of power in the region.<\/p>\n
Iran, again, is seeing its influence suffer a significant blow. Syria under Assad was part of the connection between the Iranians and Hezbollah, and it was key for the transfer of weapons and ammunition to the group.<\/p>\n
Hezbollah itself has been severely weakened after its year-long war with Israel and its future is uncertain. <\/p>\n
Another Iranian-supported faction, the Houthis in Yemen, have been repeatedly targeted in air strikes. All these factions, plus militias in Iraq and Hamas in Gaza, form what Tehran describes as the Axis of Resistance, which has now been seriously damaged.<\/p>\n
This new picture will be celebrated in Israel where Iran is viewed as an existential threat.<\/p>\n
Many believe this offensive could not have happened without the blessing of Turkey. Turkey, which supports some of the rebels in Syria, has denied backing HTS.<\/p>\n
For some time, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had pressed Assad to engage in negotiations to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict that could allow the return of Syrian refugees. <\/p>\n
At least three million of them are in Turkey, and this is a sensitive issue locally. <\/p>\n
But Assad had refused to do so.<\/p>\n
A lot of people are happy to see Assad go. <\/p>\n
But what happens next? HTS have their roots in al-Qaeda, and a violent past. <\/p>\n
They have spent the last years trying to rebrand themselves as a nationalist force, and their recent messages have a diplomatic and conciliatory tone.<\/p>\n
But many are not convinced, and are concerned about they might be planning to do after toppling the regime. <\/p>\n
At the same time, the dramatic changes could lead to a dangerous power vacuum and eventually result in chaos and even more violence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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