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.
