Syria is plunged into chaos as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) assumes de facto leadership, prompting neighboring countries to attack the country. The power vacuum has drawn in multiple actors seeking to secure interests and expand control.
Turkey has long sought to eliminate armed Kurdish militants in northern Syria, but the situation escalated after the rebel offensive started nearly two weeks ago. The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) clashed with Kurdish forces over the past few weeks, raising fears of a Turkish incursion.
Israel also launched a military campaign against Assad’s regime, striking nearly 500 targets and destroying the navy to prevent extremist groups from acquiring them. Israel fears what could come from radical Islamists governing Syria, particularly given its proximity to Lebanon.
The US has ramped up strikes on ISIS and moved warships to the region, with approximately 900 troops stationed in Syria. The US aims to prevent ISIS from reconstituting and taking advantage of the power vacuum. However, renewed fighting between the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed militants adds complexity to the situation.
The region remains volatile as multiple actors vie for influence, raising concerns about a potential resurgence of ISIS. The Turkish invasion has sparked tensions with neighboring countries, including Israel and other regional players, who are urging Turkey to withdraw its forces from all Syrian territories.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/18/middleeast/why-foreign-powers-still-targeting-syria-mime-intl/index.html