Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, said in an interview with a Saudi-owned state broadcaster that he wants respectful relations with neighboring Iran and Russia based on “mutual respect.”
Both Russia and Iran were part of the Axis of Resistance during the 13-year-long conflict that devastated Syria until the removal of former president Basher Al-Assad, currently living in Russia.
Considering the importance of Al Sharaa in the context of Syria’s present situation, the statement becomes very important from a geopolitical standpoint, as both Russia and Iran were concerned about the recent developments happening in Syria.
Similarly, the West is accused of de-stalling and removing the Syrian president from his post by arming and funding the HTS rebels, which it considered to be terrorists in 2017 when the US launched airstrikes on Syria following the dreaded chemical attack on Khan Sheikhun in 2017.
The West is closely watching the new ruler’s actions, including the depth of any future ties with Tehran and Moscow.
Sharaa said, “Iran is a very important regional country, and we cannot continue the smooth and peaceful transition and upswing of the country’s growth without their support.”
However, at the same time, “we want those relations to be based on respect for the sovereignty of both countries and non-interference in the affairs of both countries,” he added.
Sharaa advised Iran to rethink its regional policies and approach and stop interventions in the neighboring countries and said opposition forces protected Iranian positions during the fighting to oust Assad, even though rebels knew Iran was a major backer of the president.
He was referring to Iran’s proxy groups who fought alongside Assad forces at the behest of Iran, although he said, “That chapter is over, and both countries must look forward by establishing better bilateral relations.”
Sharaa, previously known by the nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, said that while he expects Moscow to withdraw its forces from Syria, he also spoke of “deep strategic interests” with the “second most powerful country in the world.”
“We don’t want Russia to exit Syria in a way that undermines its relationship with our country,” he said.
“All of Syria’s arms are of Russian origin, and many power plants are managed by Russian experts... We do not want Russia to leave Syria in the way that some wish,” he said.
The de facto leader expressed hope that the incoming US administration led by Donald Trump would ease sanctions on his country once Trump assumes office on January 20 next year.
Sharaa has publicly pledged to adopt moderate policies regarding women’s rights, national reconciliation, and relations with the international community, although world leaders say they remain wary of the new rulers pending concrete actions.
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