Iran - Syria: A solid "pillar" in the Middle East region

(Baonghean) - In the context of complicated developments in the Middle East, the visit to Syria by senior advisor to Iran's supreme spiritual leader Ali Khamenei, Mr. Ali Akbar Velayati, continues to affirm the increasingly close alliance between Syria and Iran. The strengthened Syria-Iran alliance affirms that this is one of the solid and unshakable "pillars" in this region.

According to Syria's SANA news agency, at the meeting, President Bashar Al Assad affirmed that Iran is "a key factor supporting our fight against terrorism", while Mr. Velayati reaffirmed Iran's "determination to continue standing by Syria and supporting everything necessary". This move shows Iran's "unwavering" support for Syria in the context of President Assad's government facing increasing pressure from the West and the rise of opposition forces.

Illustration photo. Source: thesleuthjournal.com

It can be said that the Iran-Syria alliance is a very special and historic alliance. In 1979, the successful Iranian Islamic revolution changed the strategic balance in the Middle East. Shiite Muslims have risen to become a powerful force while most Middle Eastern countries are under the leadership of Sunni Muslims. In addition, the common perception of the threat from Israel and the United States is like a natural reflex that draws Iran and Syria closer together. The late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, father of current President Bashar al Assad, was the only Arab leader who dared to separate himself from the ranks of the Arab world to support Iran in the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s of the last century, while the vast majority of countries in the Arab League have had tense relations with Iran. Therefore, for many years, Syria has always sought to prevent Arab countries from forming an anti-Iran alliance.

After the death of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in June 2000 and his son Bashar became President, the political alliance between Syria and Iran gradually became strategic, and military and intelligence cooperation between the two countries increased significantly. For Syria, Iran is not only a sincere friend but also a solid support against domestic and foreign storms. The Syrian crisis broke out in 2011 following the wave of the "Arab Spring" causing the Bashar al Assad government to face many difficulties, Iran extended its support to its ally. When the Arab League, with the support of the US and the West, removed the Bashar al Assad government from the League and replaced it with the seat of the Syrian opposition, Iran became the only ally of Syria in the Middle East in the confrontation with the US. As for Iran, an alliance with Syria is a way for the country to expand its influence in the region against its arch-rival Saudi Arabia and its arch-enemy Israel.

In addition, the same sectarian system is also the reason why the Iran-Syria alliance is becoming increasingly strong. In the context of Sunni Muslims dominating the region, the US attack on Iraq in 2003, overthrowing the Sunni Islamic State and Shiite Muslims coming to power was like a random "gift" for Iran and Syria. In addition, to deal with Israel, Iran and Syria have jointly built and supported Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. Therefore, strategic interests and common perception of threats are the basic factors that connect Syria and Iran together.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has always been willing to devote a lot of resources to protecting Hezbollah in Lebanon and more broadly, the Bashar al Assad government in Syria. Analysts believe that this will help Iran balance the forces in the Middle East against the Arab League and Israel, indirectly protecting the current regime in Tehran from the "eyes" of the US. Therefore, it can be said that the Syria-Iran alliance is increasingly stronger because the relationship between the two countries has become like lips and teeth, if the lips are exposed, the teeth will also be cold.

Nguyen Cao Bien