Where are Iran and Nasrallah?

By Tariq Alhomayed

Palestinian refugee camp in Yarmouk

The Iranians, and Hezbollah of course, did everything to try to take advantage of the eight day war launched by Israel upon the Gaza Strip. They tried to invest in that battle in order to improve their image in the region, especially after the Syrian revolution and their support for Bashar al-Assad, but, only after a short period of time, fate has come to expose Tehran and Hezbollah once again.

The tyrant of Damascus’ forces are bombing the Palestinian refugee camp in Yarmouk with warplanes, as if the Palestinians can be used as firewood in every battle, whether guilty or not guilty. What is this other than trading on the Palestinian cause, and the blood of its people? Indeed, the most prominent traders on the cause and its people are Iran and Hezbollah, along with the al-Assad regime, which is bombing the Palestinians today with warplanes. Yet we do not see Hassan Nasrallah coming out publicly to warn al-Assad against targeting the Palestinians, nor do we see Iranian leaders coming out to say anything, so is spilling the blood of the Palestinians halal [religiously permissible] for al-Assad and only haram [religiously impermissible] for Israel? This is a sad and shameful matter, but fortunately God wants to expose those trading on Palestinian blood, from Iran to Hezbollah and the al-Assad regime along with them, as well as others in the region and some Palestinians themselves.

Therefore, the silence of Iran and Hezbollah, and specifically its leader Hassan Nasrallah, is clear evidence of them trading on the Palestinian cause, not even intervening at the very least to persuade al-Assad not to bomb refugee camps with war planes. Of course we cannot say that the Palestinians must not interfere in the Syrian revolution, or blame them for doing so, and this is for one simple reason. When the al-Assad regime resorts to using the Palestinians themselves in Syria, such as Ahmed Jibril and others, or pushes some of them towards the border with Israel or the Golan Heights in order to divert attention, or when Syria uses the Palestinians in Lebanon, or some factions in Gaza, then the al-Assad regime, Iran and Hezbollah are the ones forcibly drawing the Palestinians into the Syrian revolution. How can this be otherwise when Tehran, al-Assad and Hezbollah have not given the Palestinians any respite, especially over the past ten years, when they have used the Palestinian cause and Palestinian blood in a crude and unjust manner, especially with false, contrived slogans such as opposition and resistance? Hence it is only natural for the Palestinians to come out against al-Assad’s agents, and al-Assad himself.

The truth is that Arab observers do not need any more evidence of al-Assad’s crimes, and how he has exploited the Palestinian cause. However, some Arabs, who have been unaware intentionally or otherwise, now need to pay attention to how Iran and Hezbollah remain silent about the crimes committed by the al-Assad regime against the Palestinians. Despite the fact that what is happening to the Palestinians is very distressing, fate wants to expose the falsehood of the Iranian project in our region. Here we see the allies of Khomeini’s project falling from one trap into another, with their words and actions proving to be false. The simplest example of this is what is happening to the Palestinians in Yarmouk refugee camp at the hands of al-Assad’s forces and planes. Thus, we should ask Hassan Nasrallah today: Was it not said in the days of the recent Gaza war that Iran, Hezbollah and al-Assad would not abandon Gaza? So why is Yarmouk refugee camp being abandoned today as al-Assad’s planes bombard it with fire and brimstone? Is there an answer?

About the Author: Tariq Alhomayed is the Editor-in-Chief of Asharq Al-Awsat, the youngest person to be appointed that position. Mr. Alhomayed has an acclaimed and distinguished career as a Journalist and has held many key positions in the field including; Assistant Editor-in-Chief of Asharq Al-Awsat, Managing Editor of Asharq Al-Awsat in Saudi Arabia, Head of Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper's Bureau-Jeddah, Correspondent for Al - Madina Newspaper in Washington D.C. from 1998 to Aug 2000. Mr. Alhomyed has been a guest analyst and commentator on numerous news and current affair programs including: the BBC, German TV, Al Arabiya, Al- Hurra, LBC and the acclaimed Imad Live’s four-part series on terrorism and reformation in Saudi Arabia. He is also the first Journalist to conduct an interview with Osama Bin Ladin's Mother. Mr. Alhomayed holds a BA degree in Media studies from King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, and has also completed his Introductory courses towards a Master’s degree from George Washington University in Washington D.C. He is based in London.

Post-Assad Iran once again

By Tariq Alhomayed

In August I wrote an article entitled “Post-Assad Iran” and I am returning now to write about post-Assad Iran once again. This is because the situation on the ground in Syria has begun to move incredibly quickly, and also because of the assurances I heard from three sources, Arab and European, about Iran planning for the post-Assad phase.

Before I begin we must consider Hassan Nasrallah’s latest statement, or warning, in which he said that the situation in Syria is becoming increasingly complex, but those who think that the armed opposition will be able to resolve the situation on the ground are “very, very mistaken”. Nasrallah’s words are important because they reflect the Iranian stance of course, and Nasrallah here is not talking about al-Assad being victorious, rather he is talking about the difficulty of the rebels succeeding, and there is a big difference. Up until recently, Hezbolah used to think that al-Assad would win, and some leaders of the party even warned against burning any playing cards with al-Assad in view of the fact that his hour of victory was imminent.

What I heard from my three sources, two of whom have previously met with al-Assad and know him well, is that the Iranian strategy - which utilizes Hezbollah in Syria - is based on three main objectives. The first is to desperately defend al-Assad with money, men and weapons, and for this reason, according to the sources, Qassem Soleimani is something of a semi-resident in Damascus. Yet this strategy has failed, and Tehran is now convinced of that. The second objective is to create a separate Alawite state, connected to Hezbollah via its borders. Much work has been done in this regard; Sunni cities and villages have been cleared for this purpose, but the plan has also failed. The third aspect of the Iranian strategy, and this is what is being worked on now, is that in the event of the fall of al-Assad, Iran and its allies will seek to ensure the failure of the subsequent political system, or state, in Syria, at any cost. This will be achieved through spreading chaos, violence, instability and whatever else it takes. This, of course, is where Hezbollah truly comes into play, not to mention the information I obtained from intelligence sources suggesting that al-Assad himself intends to carry out insane acts if he feels he is nearing his final moments in power.

Therefore, Nasrallah’s statement that “the situation in Syria is getting more complicated - but anyone who thinks the armed opposition can settle the situation on the ground is very, very mistaken” is very important and must be taken seriously. It means that Nasrallah and Iran are convinced of al-Assad’s end, and are now planning to set Syria alight. The Syrian President’s allies have said publicly that there will be no Syria after al-Assad, and Iran and Hezbollah are aware that any alternative to al-Assad, especially if it comes about via a military victory, will not be hospitable to them. Thus they are trying to destabilize Syria through Iraq and Lebanon, for Iran and Hezbollah realize that the fall of al-Assad would be a major strategic defeat for them.

Therefore, as I have written many times before, it is not enough to simply estimate the moment at which al-Assad may fall, we must accelerate this as much as possible and have a clear strategy for the whole post-Assad phase, not merely the days in the aftermath. This is in order to thwart Iran and Hezbollah’s attempts, and to protect Syria as a whole.