Syria and several other Middle Eastern nations face the imminent risk of losing their statehood, according to Oleg Ozerov, Russia’s ambassador to Moldova and co-chair of the "Hakimov Club" discussion forum.
“Syria is on the brink of ceasing to exist as a state. This goes beyond regime change; there’s an alarming uncertainty about the country’s future,” Ozerov remarked during a session of the "Hakimov Club." He compared the current developments in the region to the early 20th century when the Middle East was divided into spheres of influence, primarily by Britain and France.
"It feels like this is just the beginning of a much larger process. We’ve seen Israel expanding its borders, claiming new territories adjacent to the Golan Heights as a buffer zone," Ozerov noted. He emphasized that, according to UN Security Council resolutions, these lands are Syrian.
The ambassador also highlighted the fragile situation in southern Lebanon. “The danger extends beyond Syria. Other nations in the region, already in precarious conditions, may also face the loss of statehood,” Ozerov warned. “This raises a critical question: which nations in the Middle East will manage to survive, preserving their sovereignty, statehood, and territorial integrity?”
The warning comes amid a significant escalation in Syria. In late November, armed opposition forces launched a large-scale offensive against Syrian army positions. On December 8, they entered Damascus, prompting President Bashar al-Assad to resign and leave the country. Subsequently, on December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir, leader of the so-called Salvation Government in Idlib Province, declared himself head of Syria's interim government, set to govern until March 1, 2025.
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Based on TASS materials