Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday defended Russia’s decade-long intervention in Syria, asserting that it successfully prevented the establishment of terrorist strongholds similar to those seen in Afghanistan. Speaking during his annual address and question-and-answer session, Putin highlighted the mission’s accomplishments and questioned Western interactions with groups formerly deemed as terrorist organizations.
“We entered Syria 10 years ago to stop the creation of terrorist bases like those we saw in other countries, such as Afghanistan,” Putin stated. “Today, many European countries and the United States are seeking relations with these groups. If they were terrorist organizations, why are you collaborating with them now? This means they have changed, doesn’t it? To some extent, that means we achieved our goal.”
Putin’s remarks come against the backdrop of a dramatic transformation in Syria’s political and military landscape. Opposition forces launched a large-scale offensive on November 27, targeting government strongholds in Aleppo and Idlib. Within two weeks, they seized control of Aleppo, Hama, Daraa, and Homs.
By December 8, opposition forces entered Damascus, prompting Syrian government troops to abandon the capital. President Bashar al-Assad subsequently resigned and fled to Russia. In the aftermath, Mohammad al-Bashir, who has led an interim government in Idlib since January 2024, announced on December 10 that he had assumed leadership of a transitional government. This transition is expected to continue until March 1, 2025.
The upheaval has reignited international debate over Syria’s future and the role of Islamist groups now vying for power. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, reflecting on the Taliban’s isolation following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, cautioned Syrian factions to avoid repeating similar mistakes.
“The lessons of Taliban isolation should not be ignored,” Blinken said.
The rapidly evolving situation in Syria has significant geopolitical implications, as global powers reassess their strategies in the region. Russia’s intervention, once a cornerstone of its Middle Eastern policy, now enters a new phase as the nation’s alliances and objectives face fresh challenges amid changing realities.
