Today I read an article on PressTV.com in which the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin strongly criticised Qatar and Saudi Arabia for their financing of and supplying weapons to the “armed opposition” in Syria.
Ever since violence erupted in Syria, international support for either the rebels or the regime has come from predicable sources. Iran (and subsequently Russia) has unsurprisingly supported Asad’s Shia regime whilst the Middle East’s Sunni-led countries have sided with the Sunni rebels or “armed opposition”.
Churkin’s outburst is arguably a tell-tale sign that Iran and Russia are now genuinely concerned that Asad’s regime in Syria will fall. If Syria’s “armed opposition” prevails I am certain that Syria will opt for Sunni leadership. This would be a major blow for Russia and Iran who rely heavily on Syria as a satellite control centre for Shia interests in the Middle East. Damascus is also used by Shia political leadership as a driving seat for controlling Lebanon’s Shia population.
As the conflict in Syria continues (and I like the rest of us hope very much it comes to an end as soon as possible to prevent the occurrence of yet more brutalities) I’d expect Russia and Iran to continue criticsing any Sunni Muslim country providing material support to Asad’s opposition. For from being perturbed by Churkin’s complaint, I imagine Saudi Arabia and Qatar are pleased at ruffling the feathers of their Russian and Iranian nemeses.
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