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FOREIGN AND REGIONAL POWERS

 

The increasing involvement of foreign and regional actors in the Syrian civil war grew alongside the conflict. Different groups took the side of the Assad administration and moderate opposition, leading many to classify the Syrian conflict as a proxy war between pro- and anti-Assad regime powers as each side sought to defend its regional interests.

 

Support for the Assad regime: Iran, Russia, Hezbollah

 

Early on in the conflict, it became clear that Iran and Russia stood firmly behind the Assad regime. Russia, along with China, vetoed United Nations Security Council sanctions against the Assad regime in 2012 and recently vetoed a vote to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court. It also protested proposed US air strikes against the Assad regime following accusations that the regime had used poison gas against civilians outside of Damascus. Russia has also provided the regime with material support, including arms and munitions.

 

Iran has also been a key element of support for the Assad regime. Iran openly supports the Assad administration, and has made no effort to conceal its technical assistance to the regime’s army. Iran denies providing the regime with financial assistance, arms, or troops. However, reports have circulated that Iranian troops are active in the conflict.

 

Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia militant group and political party backed by Iran, has been actively and openly involved in the Syrian conflict since the beginning of 2013, although it is believed to have operated secretly in Syria before then. Both Hezbollah fighters and Iran were key to Assad regime gains in the summer of 2013.

 

Support for the moderate opposition: Western powers, Turkey, Gulf states

 

The United States and several European countries were quick to voice their support for the moderate opposition to the Assad regime. Although diplomatically supportive of the political opposition, the United States and the European Union were initially hesitant to arm the FSA. However, the US pledged to arm the rebels after it concluded that the Assad regime had used chemical weapons in June 2013. The European Union also lifted its arms embargo on Syria the same month following pressure from Britain and France.

 

The Gulf states announced their support for the Syrian National Coalition upon its formation, deeming it the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. The Arab league later followed suit, with the exception of Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. Turkey also recognized the Coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people. Reports emerged in summer 2012 that Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar were secretly supplying military aid to the armed opposition. Turkey has also hosted both the political and military opposition to the Assad regime.

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