In an article in the Gazeta newspaper, Russian writer Giyegury Berezovsky said US President Donald H. Trump's decision to withdraw from Syria raises many questions, amid a vow to divide Syria in a new way.
The author wonders: How will this decision affect the Russian and Iranian presence in the country? And what will happen to the Kurdish groups threatened by Turkey? Amid the belief of some experts that this unexpected step was the result of an agreement between Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to strike Moscow.
The writer adds that Trump's decision to withdraw from Syria has sparked controversy around the world, as it was not expected, as US officials have already confirmed that they will leave Syria only if Iran's withdrawal.
The author attributes to the New York Times that the withdrawal of US troops would be a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin, because Moscow is trying to limit Washington's influence in the region, and that Iran will expand its influence in Syria.
| US withdrawal from Syria poses threat to Syria's democratic forces (Reuters) |
Alliance and Iran
The United States will continue to defend its interests in the region with its allies, he said, stressing that the withdrawal of US forces does not eliminate the presence of the coalition.
He adds that the White House is trying to point out that Iran's life in Syria will not be easier after the withdrawal of US troops.
According to the writer, Israeli policy, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks, will be characterized by more hostility towards Iran after the US withdrawal from Syria.
Berezovsky points out that Trump's decision to withdraw 2,000 American troops would not change Israel's policy, and explains that Netanyahu has already stated that Israel will continue to work against Iran's attempts to build a military bridge in Syria and that it will expand its military operations in the country.
| State organization may resume attacks in Syria after US withdrawal (Reuters) |
Israel and America
Netanyahu added that his country would continue to cooperate with the United States in various fields, such as military operations, intelligence and other areas of security.
If the United States can rely on Israel for the Iranian file, the other US interests in Syria will be threatened, because the fate of the Kurdish forces - long supported by Washington - is questionable.
He points out that the Kurds are the force that the United States has relied on since the time of former US President Barack Obama.
He finds it interesting that the Americans - with the help of the Kurds - have not only succeeded in performing their duties within Syria, but they have used the Kurds paper pressure on the international arena in dialogue with Turkey, Iran and Russia.
| Kurds consider US withdrawal from Syria a betrayal of them (Reuters) |
A disaster for the Kurds
He added that the withdrawal of US troops from Syria would be a real disaster for Syria's democratic forces, since it has no ally in Syria except Washington.
The writer points out that the leadership of the Kurdish forces considered the White House declaration of withdrawal of US troops from Syria, a betrayal of them.
In an attempt to prevent the implementation of the White House decision, the Kurds have reported attacks by state-run groups.
In this context, spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces Keno Gabriel said that the state organization is taking advantage of the American statements on withdrawal from Syria, and launching intensive attacks on Kurdish forces.
Trump's announcement of his withdrawal is, in the opinion of experts, an opportunistic step against his critics, who see him as a failed person in leading the campaign in Syria, or in presenting himself as a leader who has succeeded in getting rid of the organization of the Islamic state in both Iraq and Syria.