Former President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "has fled his country," attributing this alleged development to a dramatic realignment of power in the Middle East and Russia's shifting military priorities.
Trump asserted that Iran, a key Assad ally, is in a "weakened state because of Israel and its fighting success."
Additionally, Russia's mounting challenges in Ukraine have forced Moscow to abandon its longtime Syrian ally. "His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," Trump wrote, emphasizing what he sees as a complete withdrawal of Russian support from Syria.
Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 8, 2024
According to Trump's analysis, Russia's military commitments in Ukraine have reached a critical point, claiming Russian casualties amount to "close to 600,000 soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that never should have started, and could go on forever." This extensive military engagement, Trump argues, has effectively ended Russia's ability to maintain its strategic presence in Syria. "There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place," Trump stated, suggesting that Moscow's intervention in Syria had become an unsustainable commitment.
According to Trump's assessment, this dual weakening of Assad's primary international backers has left Syria increasingly isolated.
Trump concluded his message by calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. He expressed particular concern about the potential for escalation, warning that "If it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed."
Drawing on his previous diplomatic relationships, the former president stated, "I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act." He concluded his message with a call for international intervention, specifically suggesting that "China can help" and declaring, "The World is waiting!"
