Sharp Differences between Moscow, Damascus Play out in the Media

A woman at empty Souk al-Hamidieh, as restrictions are imposed as measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Damascus, Syria March 24, 2020. (Reuters)
A woman at empty Souk al-Hamidieh, as restrictions are imposed as measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Damascus, Syria March 24, 2020. (Reuters)
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Sharp Differences between Moscow, Damascus Play out in the Media

A woman at empty Souk al-Hamidieh, as restrictions are imposed as measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Damascus, Syria March 24, 2020. (Reuters)
A woman at empty Souk al-Hamidieh, as restrictions are imposed as measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Damascus, Syria March 24, 2020. (Reuters)

In a sign of the growing divide between Damascus and Moscow, a Syrian lawmaker released on Friday a strongly-worded article critical of Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

In his article, “What if Assad Was Angry with Putin?”, MP Khaled Abboud declared that Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah party were regime leader Bashar Assad’s main allies.

Russia’s intervention in the Syrian conflict achieved joint Syrian-Russian interests in confronting the United States. The intervention did not “save” the regime, as Moscow has repeatedly claimed at various formal events, continued the MP.

Moreover, Abboud alleged that “if Assad were to become angry, then he can pull the rug right from under Putin even in the Kremlin.” Assad can “dash” all of Putin’s “glory and accomplishments.”

He warned that Syria can “drown” Putin in a long conflict in the Latakia mountains, Hauran or the Syrian Desert (Badia), describing Russian troops as “occupation” forces.

“If Assad wanted to stand against Putin, the Russian president would not only be defeated in Syria, but Russia’s expansion throughout the world will be curbed and Putin’s name will forever be crossed out from Russian history,” he stated.

Observers told Asharq Al-Awsat that the critical article reveals that Damascus’ rulers are upset with the recent Russian media campaigns against them.

Russia has been growing increasingly critical of Damascus, issuing a series of scathing attacks against the regime over the spread of rampant corruption in Syria, its inability to impose its authority in areas under its control and the drop in Assad’s popularity, whom Moscow now views as a burden.

A Syrian lawmaker cannot make such statements without receiving the green light from the higher ups, remarked the observers.

Abboud was not the first official to come out and condemn Russia. Just days ago, former ambassador and military official, Bahjat Suleiman slammed Russia for only intervening in Syria “54 months after Damascus was left alone to confront a cosmic conspiracy.”

Moscow has yet to respond to the criticism, but decision-making circles said that such statements reflect a “total lack of political responsibility or awareness” during this dangerous time in Syria.

Former diplomat Rami al-Shaar, who is close to the Russian foreign ministry, said Russian officials have been “shocked” with the statements coming in from Damascus.

He added however, that they have stressed that such criticism is not being made by the Damascus leadership and should therefore, be dismissed.



Suspected US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill at Least 4 People Near Hodeidah

A man holds a rifle as protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, rally to mark the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Sanaa, Yemen March 28, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
A man holds a rifle as protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, rally to mark the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Sanaa, Yemen March 28, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
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Suspected US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill at Least 4 People Near Hodeidah

A man holds a rifle as protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, rally to mark the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Sanaa, Yemen March 28, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
A man holds a rifle as protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, rally to mark the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Sanaa, Yemen March 28, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

Suspected US airstrikes battered Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into Wednesday, with the militias saying that one strike killed at least four people near the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

The intense campaign of airstrikes in Yemen under US President Donald Trump, targeting the militias over their attacks on shipping in Mideast waters stemming from the Israel-Hamas war, has killed at least 65 people, according to casualty figures released by the Houthis.

The campaign appears to show no signs of stopping as the Trump administration again linked their airstrikes on the Iranian-backed Houthis to an effort to pressure Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program. While so far giving no specifics about the campaign and its targets, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt put the overall number of strikes on Tuesday at more than 200.

“Iran is incredibly weakened as a result of these attacks, and we have seen they have taken out Houthi leaders,” Leavitt said. “They’ve taken out critical members who were launching strikes on naval ships and on commercial vessels and this operation will not stop until the freedom of navigation in this region is restored.”

Overnight, a likely US airstrike targeted what the Houthis described as a “water project” in Hodeidah governorate's Mansuriyah District, killing four people and wounding others. Other strikes into Wednesday targeted Hajjah, Saada and Sanaa governorates, the militias said.