Rubio Warns Syria’s Transitional Regime on Brink of Collapse, Civil War Looms

Senator Marco Rubio warned the Syrian transitional regime may collapse in weeks, raising the risk of civil war. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused militant groups of ethnic cleansing. An attack on the Hmeimim airbase adds to fears of renewed sectarian violence. Additionally, President Trump’s recent decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria marks a significant policy shift.

In a recent hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio expressed grave concerns regarding the future of the Syrian transitional regime. He indicated that the regime could be merely weeks—rather than months—away from collapse, posing the risk of a full-scale civil war that could lead to significant fragmentation of the country. Rubio noted, “It is our assessment that, frankly, the transitional authority, given the challenges they’re facing, are maybe weeks, not many months, away from potential collapse and a full-scale civil war of epic proportions—basically the country splitting up.”

This alarming prediction by Senator Rubio coincided with accusations from Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. During a reception in Moscow marking the end of Orthodox Easter, Lavrov claimed that radical militant groups in Syria are executing acts of ethnic cleansing characterized by mass killings based on nationality and religion. However, he did not elaborate on the specific groups involved.

Russia, which has long supported the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, maintains two military installations in Syria: the Hmeimim Airbase and the Tartus naval facility. Assad, who belongs to the Alawite minority, has been granted asylum in Russia following his removal from power.

Reports surfaced that earlier this week, the Hmeimim base, situated in northwest Syria, suffered an attack. This area, previously a bastion for Assad loyalists, has recently experienced an uptick in sectarian violence that began escalating in March when numerous Alawites were reportedly killed.

A Syrian security official based in Latakia noted that the motives behind the attack on Hmeimim remained ambiguous, adding that an investigation was underway. In an interesting side note, a pro-Russian Telegram channel named Military Informer shared purported footage of a skirmish involving Russian military personnel and Syrian fighters at the base. That said, it is important to mention that Reuters was unable to independently verify the claims regarding the video.

In a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Trump recently ordered the lifting of longstanding sanctions placed on Syria during Assad’s regime, indicating a possible change in Washington’s approach to the Middle East.

Senator Marco Rubio’s statement raises urgent concerns about the potential collapse of Syria’s transitional government, which might lead to widespread civil conflict. Coupled with Russia’s allegations of ethnic cleansing by militant groups, the situation remains volatile and complex. The recent attack on the Hmeimim airbase underscores ongoing sectarian violence, while shifts in U.S. policy could further change the dynamics in Syria.

Original Source: www.ynetnews.com