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Russian Report Considers Assad a ‘Burden'

FILE PHOTO: A Syrian soldier takes selfies pictures as Russian military vehicle is seen in convoy during re-opening the road between Homs and Hama in Rastan,Syria June 6, 2018. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki
FILE PHOTO: A Syrian soldier takes selfies pictures as Russian military vehicle is seen in convoy during re-opening the road between Homs and Hama in Rastan,Syria June 6, 2018. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki
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Russian Report Considers Assad a ‘Burden'

FILE PHOTO: A Syrian soldier takes selfies pictures as Russian military vehicle is seen in convoy during re-opening the road between Homs and Hama in Rastan,Syria June 6, 2018. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki
FILE PHOTO: A Syrian soldier takes selfies pictures as Russian military vehicle is seen in convoy during re-opening the road between Homs and Hama in Rastan,Syria June 6, 2018. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki

A report by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) said Moscow has become more serious about making changes in Syria because protecting President Bashar Assad has become a burden.

The report hints at the possibility that Russia, Turkey and Iran reach a consensus to remove Assad, and establish a ceasefire in exchange for forming a transitional government that includes the opposition, members of the regime and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Russia’s clear impatience with Assad emerged two weeks ago following vague and indirect messages urging Damascus to change its behavior.

The RIAC is led by former Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and is known to be close to the decision-makers in the Russian government.

The report said that since the beginning of its military intervention in Syria, Moscow has been keen to avoid being presented as the defender of Assad.

It added that in negotiations it has stressed that “the Syrian people will decide whether or not Assad will remain in power”.

Earlier this week, a former Russian ambassador, Alexander Aksenyonok wrote: “It is becoming increasingly obvious that the [Assad] regime is reluctant or unable to develop a system of government that can mitigate corruption and crime.”

Russia’s TASS news agency said Russia is suspecting that Assad is not only no longer able to lead the country, but that the head of the Syrian regime is dragging Moscow towards a scenario similar to the Afghan war, which is a very disconcerting possibility for Russia.

The news agency said Moscow is working on two scenarios: The first sees forces present in Syria accepting each other’s scope of influence.

As a result, Syria would remain divided into a region protected by Tehran and Moscow, the opposition region supported by Turkey, and the East Euphrates supported by Washington and the SDF.

As for the second option, TASS explained it requires a complete withdrawal of all foreign forces and the unification of the country after achieving a political transformation in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

The news agency considered that this option is less costly for all parties.

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Arab World

Sistani Warns Against Targeting Khamenei, Sadr Calls for Mass Protests

A man rides a motorcycle past a billboard depicting Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, along a street in Baghdad on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
A man rides a motorcycle past a billboard depicting Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, along a street in Baghdad on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
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Sistani Warns Against Targeting Khamenei, Sadr Calls for Mass Protests

A man rides a motorcycle past a billboard depicting Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, along a street in Baghdad on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
A man rides a motorcycle past a billboard depicting Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, along a street in Baghdad on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)

As Iraq’s judiciary vowed legal action against anyone seeking to destabilize the country, major Iranian-backed Iraqi militias declared their readiness to take up arms should US President Donald Trump follow through on his repeated threats to target Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Leaders of the prominent militias, including Harakat al-Nujaba and Kata'ib Hezbollah, issued warnings of retaliatory attacks against US interests in Iraq in response to escalating tensions.

Their threats came shortly after Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, cautioned against any attempts to strike Khamenei.

In a move seen as a preemptive effort to safeguard national stability, Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council head, Judge Faiq Zidan, convened with security and media officials to discuss ways to strengthen the country’s internal cohesion.

This followed a meeting between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Zidan aimed at addressing growing concerns over potential internal unrest.

Zidan stressed the priority of Iraq’s security and sovereignty during a high-level meeting, warning that anyone attempting to undermine these national interests would face severe legal consequences, according to a statement from the judiciary.

Zidan said: “Iraq’s security and sovereignty are a priority for society, and any attack on these will result in accountability for those trying to harm these national entitlements.”

He added that “propaganda suggesting internal unrest or destabilization will lead to deterrent legal penalties,” underscoring the need for national unity in the wake of the recent Israeli aggression in the region.

Separately, Sistani warned against any attempt to target Khamenei amid repeated US and Israeli threats.

In a statement from his office on Thursday, Sistani called on the international community and world nations to intervene to halt the escalation and find a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

He condemned ongoing military aggression against Iran and any threats aimed at its highest religious and political leadership. “Such criminal actions, which violate religious and ethical standards as well as international laws and norms, risk severe consequences for the entire region,” Sistani said.

“It could lead to widespread chaos, exacerbating the suffering of peoples and harming the interests of all parties involved to an extreme degree.”

Following calls from the Shiite Coordination Framework for supporters to rally in solidarity with Iran, influential cleric and leader of the Sadrist Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, urged peaceful, organized demonstrations after next Friday’s prayers.

Al-Sadr condemned what he described as “Zionist and American terrorism, colonial expansion, and hostility toward peoples and religions,” calling on Iraqis to unite in protest against these threats.

In a recent social media post, al-Sadr urged Iraqis to take part in “peaceful, organized protests” after Friday prayers next week, calling for demonstrations to be held simultaneously in every provincial capital.

Al-Sadr said the protests were motivated by “religious, ideological, and humanitarian concerns.”

He denounced what he described as massacres and aggression against Arab and Muslim countries, citing recent attacks on neighboring Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, which he called “the main drivers of wars worldwide.”

Meanwhile, the Shiite Coordination Framework - a coalition of major Shiite parties excluding the Sadrist Movement, including the State of Law, Al-Fatah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Al-Nasr, and Al-Hikma blocs - failed to mobilize significant support in their recent call for rallies.

Only dozens reportedly attended those demonstrations, while all signs point to much larger turnouts for the Sadrist protests this coming Friday.

Observers note the protests reflect deep political and sectarian divides in Iraq, with the Sadrist base, which has largely boycotted parliamentary elections, holding significant influence despite lacking parliamentary majorities held by the Coordination Framework parties.