Who is in power in Syria? This question has been at the heart of the ongoing conflict in the country since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011. The answer is not straightforward, as the power dynamics in Syria have evolved significantly over the years.
At the forefront of the Syrian regime is President Bashar al-Assad, who has been in power since 2000, following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad. Bashar al-Assad has faced numerous challenges, including a civil war that has raged since 2011, but he remains the official head of state. The Assad family has been a central figure in Syrian politics for decades, with the Assad dynasty tracing its roots back to the late 1970s.
However, the Assad regime does not operate in isolation. The Syrian military, led by the Bashar al-Assad-aligned Alawite community, plays a crucial role in maintaining power. The Alawites, a minority religious group, have been disproportionately represented in the military and security forces, which have been instrumental in suppressing the opposition and maintaining control over the country.
Additionally, Iran and Russia have emerged as key allies of the Assad regime. Iran has provided significant financial and military support to the Syrian government, while Russia has been instrumental in bolstering the regime’s military capabilities through air strikes and military advisors. These alliances have helped the Assad regime to survive the civil war and maintain a presence in various parts of Syria.
On the other side of the conflict, various opposition groups and rebel factions have emerged, each with their own interests and objectives. The most prominent among these are the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). The FSA is a loose coalition of opposition forces that seeks to topple the Assad regime and establish a democratic government, while the YPG is a Kurdish paramilitary force that aims to create an autonomous Kurdish region in northern Syria.
Another significant player in the power struggle is the Islamic State (IS), which briefly controlled large parts of Syria and Iraq before being defeated by a coalition of international forces. Although IS has lost much of its territory, remnants of the group still operate in the region, posing a threat to the Assad regime and its allies.
In conclusion, the question of who is in power in Syria is complex and multifaceted. The Assad regime, with the support of Iran and Russia, remains the official government, but various opposition groups, rebel factions, and non-state actors continue to challenge its authority. The power dynamics in Syria are constantly evolving, making it difficult to pinpoint a single entity as the ultimate authority in the country.
