CSTO faces new challenges as Middle East tensions simmer, Russian official warns

The situation in the countries of the Middle East is becoming increasingly tense, and in these conditions the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) needs to strengthen its capabilities.

Russian Permanent Representative to the CSTO Viktor Vasilyev made the remarks in an interview with the publication “Soyuzniki ODKB” (CSTO Allies), Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“The current global environment is full of different kinds of crises in varying degrees of intensity. The Middle East is becoming more and more feverish,” he noted.

According to Vasilyev, under the current conditions, the CSTO should “build up its own potential to be able to confront existing and potential challenges in its area of responsibility.”

He also drew attention to the growing militarization of the Asia-Pacific region, “where Washington and its satellites are creating new confrontational structures with a clear anti-Chinese and anti-Russian orientation.

To recall, clashes reignited between Assad regime forces and anti-regime groups in rural areas west of Aleppo, one of Syria’s major northern cities on November 27. Within days, opposition forces launched a swift and strategic offensive, capturing key towns and advancing toward Damascus, the Syrian capital. This rapid progression—fuelled by support from defecting military units—signifies a turning point in the 13-year-long civil war.

On December 8 morning, rebel fighters captured the Syrian capital of Damascus, effectively toppling the Assad regime that has been in power in the country since 1971. The rebels - who made a lightning advance over the past fortnight, taking key cities on the road to Damascus - were greeted with celebrations in the streets as they entered the city.

Celebratory gunfire was also heard ringing out in the city's Umayyad Square - despite HTS forbidding rebels from doing so.

Assad had been in power since 2000, when he assumed the presidency from his father, Hafez. The regime was marked by repression, censorship and human rights violations.

Following the Arab Spring, several factions opposed to Assad formed - among them HTS, which was established in 2011 as an affiliate of al-Qaeda and had early involvement from the leader of the Islamic State. It is still proscribed as a terrorist group by the UN, the US and others. make it a background 

By Khagan Isayev