Syria's new foreign minister issues strong warning to Iran over influence

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani issued a stern warning to Iran on December 24, calling on the country to respect Syria's sovereignty and the will of its people. 

Al-Shibani expressed concern over Iran’s influence in Syria, stating that Iran must not contribute to further chaos in the country, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In a post on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), he said: “Iran must respect the will of the Syrian people as well as the sovereignty and security of the country. We warn them against spreading chaos in Syria and hold them responsible for the consequences of the recent statements.”

يجب على #إيران احترام إرادة الشعب السوري وسيادة البلاد وسلامته، ونحذرهم من بث الفوضى في سوريا ونحملهم كذلك تداعيات التصريحات الأخيرة.

— أسعد حسن الشيباني (@Asaad_Shaibani) December 24, 2024

This warning came just days after al-Shibani assumed the role of Syria's foreign minister in the interim government, marking a significant moment in the country’s ongoing political transition. The comments also highlight rising tensions between Syria and Iran, which has been a long-time ally of the Syrian government, providing military and logistical support during the ongoing civil war.

Iran's involvement in Syria has been a point of controversy, particularly concerning its military presence and its support for various groups within the country. While Syria has generally accepted Iranian assistance, these recent remarks by al-Shibani signal increasing concerns over the level of interference and its potential destabilizing effects.

In response to Syria's internal turmoil, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi commented on the situation, downplaying its suddenness. In an interview with Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar, Araghchi expressed that the ongoing events in Syria were not entirely unexpected. He described the situation as a result of actions by external players, including Israel, rather than a surprise development. “Those who think they have won a victory in Syria should be patient, as many more events will take place in the future,” Araghchi warned.

He also attributed the instability in Syria to years of external interference, saying that the rapid developments observed recently were part of a longer process dating back more than a decade. Araqchi explained that the presence of numerous foreign actors with conflicting goals – notably, the efforts to overthrow the existing Syrian government – ultimately contributed to the chaos. “The events, which at first glance seemed sudden and swift, had their background and roots going back at least 10-12 years,” he stated.

Furthermore, Araghchi highlighted Israel’s role in the conflict, claiming that Israel has been targeting Syria’s defence infrastructure over the past 14 months to weaken the Syrian government. 

The political and military landscape in Syria has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. On November 27, armed opposition groups launched a large-scale offensive against Syrian army positions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. By December 7, these opposition forces had seized control of major cities such as Aleppo, Hama, Deraa, and Homs. By December 8, they entered Damascus, causing Syrian government forces to withdraw. This culminated in the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country.

By Tamilla Hasanova