New Delhi: Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, former Chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission, delivered an in-depth address at a gathering organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind at its headquarters here, shedding light on the historical evolution of Syria. He discussed the rise and fall of various groups, conflicts, revolutions, the motives and consequences of the Sykes-Picot Agreement, and trajectory of the Ba’ath Party under Hafez al-Assad and Bashar al-Assad.
Speaking on “Changes in Syria: Causes and Its Potential Impact in the Middle East,” Dr. Khan characterised the Bashar al-Assad regime as even more oppressive than many other dictatorships in the region. Under Assad’s rule, dissent, protests, and criticism were brutally suppressed. He noted that over 200,000 people were killed for opposing the regime, and thousands more were imprisoned.
Recalling the regime’s brutality, Dr. Khan highlighted incidents such as the mass killing of over a thousand prisoners, many of them members of the Muslim Brotherhood, within an hour. In another horrific event, more than 20,000 protesters were killed. Numerous similar incidents illustrated the regime’s authoritarian and oppressive nature. He also mentioned the formation of over 20 groups tasked with quashing any opposition to Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Dr. Khan outlined the factors leading to the regime’s decline. The loss of support from Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia played a critical role, as did the destruction of the regime’s military capabilities by Israel. Hezbollah eventually withdrew its backing, and Russia refused further military intervention despite Assad’s appeals.
Discussing the current state of Syria, Dr. Khan noted that the new regime comprises over 20-25 groups, with the Ba’ath Party retaining influence only in a small area. The U.S. maintains a presence in oil-rich regions, while the new regime has pledged accountability for past atrocities. One of its first actions was to address the appalling conditions in overcrowded prisons, releasing many detainees who had suffered severe trauma, to the extent that some could no longer recall their identities.
In response to a question about the impact of the regime change on the axis of resistance against Israel, Dr. Khan stated that it would be adversely affected, as the new regime opposes both Hezbollah and Iran.
Regarding Syria’s future, Dr. Khan cautioned against making definitive predictions, given the complex interplay of groups within the new government. However, he expressed cautious optimism, noting that the new leader appears to be a man of integrity and humility.
