Russian losses in Ukraine prevented Moscow from saving Assad regime in Syria, Biden says
Moscow could not support its ally in Syria, former dictator Bashar al-Assad, due to the "massive damage" inflicted on Russian forces by Western-supported Ukrainian troops, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Dec. 8.
The comments follow the fall of Assad's 24-year rule after a lighting offensive by opposition forces that culminated in the capture of Damascus, Syria's capital city, on Dec. 8.
"Rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office and flee the country. We're not sure where he is, but word that he's in Moscow," Biden said amid reports that Syria's former dictator fled to Russia with his family.
Assad was a close ally of Russia and Iran, but the two powers did little to prevent the fall of his regime. Ukrainian intelligence claimed that Russian forces began withdrawing from their bases in Syria following the rebel advance.
"For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia. But over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them," Biden said during a press conference.
"Because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office." The U.S. president recounted that Iran and its allies, the Hezbollah and Hamas militant groups, were weakened in a multi-front conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza.
"Additionally, Russia's support for Assad also failed. And that's because Ukraine, backed by our American allies, has put up a wall of resistance against invading Russian forces, inflicting massive damage on the Russian forces," the U.S. president said.
Washington played a key role in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, but the future of this support now lies in doubt as President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on Jan. 20, signaled that Kyiv should brace for reduced assistance.
Speaking about Syria, Biden called Assad's defeat a "historic opportunity" for the Syrian people to "build a better future for their proud country" but also a "moment of risk and uncertainty."
Pointing out that some of the groups that toppled the Syrian dictator have their own "grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses," the U.S. president nevertheless said that Washington is ready to "work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria."
Martina Sapio
