Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi
Walid Al-Moallem, Syrian regime’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, had warned Saudi Arabia against sending ground troops to fight Daesh in Syria without getting a permission from the “Syrian government,” first. He regarded any unauthorized military presence as an invasion and promised to send the Saudi soldiers home in “wooden coffins.”
Mohammad Ali Jaffari, Iran’s head of the Revolutionary Guard, showed more sympathy! He advised the Saudis that any such intervention would be suicidal, especially because Saudis haven’t finished their war in Yemen, yet! He expressed doubt about the Saudi ability’s to tilt the balance in terms of the Syrian army's advances on all fronts, claiming that the Saudis are not “brave enough,” to follow through with their aggressive rhetoric.
“Their troops will be wiped out in Syria if they dare to invade the country,” he asserted, and “professionally” explained, “They have a classic army, and history tells us such armies stand no chance in fighting irregular resistance forces,” predicting that “their fate is sealed.”
I told the Al-Hurra TV interviewer that such statements amaze me. You wonder if Iran and the Syrian regime have suddenly become so concerned for the safety of Saudi soldiers, or their concern is exclusive for the wellbeing of Daesh. Since both, Al-Moallem and Jaffari, are wishing us hell, and promising to send us back in coffins, it could only be the care for Daesh.
This begs the question: Both countries, and Russia, are “supposedly” sworn enemies of Daesh. They have been fighting it for years, with no success. If that was the case, they should be appreciative for any help, even from “enemies.” But they are not at all happy! Why not?
It becomes more interesting when we consider that Saudis are fighting Daesh in Syria with the US-led International alliance. The Americans, French, Kurds and Turks have already sent ground troops — if limited — to support the aerial campaign. In addition, the Iranians and Russians, in addition to Lebanese, Pakistani, Afghani, Iraqi and other Shia militias have been joining the fight with and without the regime permission.
The other camp (Daesh and Al-Qaeda) is inviting foreign fighters from all over the world — without a visa!
Still, Al-Moallem could only point out his Sunni Muslim neighbors, the Saudis and Turks, for trespassing! Why?
If Syria, is truly concerned about its sensitive Arab dignity and national sovereignty, how come his allied foreigners are calling the shots in Syria — representing it in negotiation, fighting on its behalf and running the government business? If non-Muslim Russians and non-Arab, non-Sunni Iranians, Pakistanis and Afghanis, who are not even neighbors, are welcome to do so, why can’t Arabs and Sunni Muslims offer help in fighting a “common enemy”?
Besides, parts of Syria that the international alliance is working on are not under the Syrian regime control! In fact only 14% is under Bashar’s administration, the rest is either under Daesh, the Kurds or the opposition groups.
It is clear that the main concern of the Farsi-Russo axis is protecting its “illegitimate child” — “Daesh-Al-Qaeda” monster. They never fought each other, or Israel, because the monster’s real purpose is to give a pretext for axis intervention! By linking Sunni Islam with terrorism, and confusing the Syrian resistance with the terrorists, the regime and its masters could claim legitimacy and purpose.
The Yemeni government with the support of the Saudi-led alliance is winning in Yemen. A year ago, it was the other way around. The militia was on the verge of capturing Aden. Today, Sanaa is on the verge of being returned to the legitimate government.
More than 90 percent of Yemen is now under President Hadi’s rule. The development and rebuilding of the country has already started with the help of neighboring Gulf States. That is more of a success than what NATO could claim in Afghanistan, the US in Iraq and the International Alliance in Syria.
With such track record, Saudi Arabia and allies could go on with a good chance of success to fight terrorism in Syria. They suffered a great deal and had enough of terrorists. Daesh and Al-Qaeda had never attacked Iran, Russia, Israel or Bashar’s regime. In fact, Al-Qaeda headquarters have been based in Iran since 2002. Before and after, they have attacked Saudi Arabia and other Sunni countries repeatedly.
With or without the “axis of evil” permission, the world community will come together strong and united. Whether the “mothership” of terrorism (Iran) likes it or not, the international community will take the fight from its backyard to that of Daesh.
Once the cover is blown, the terrorist group’s sponsors will find it hard to explain their annihilation of civilians. The world attention would focus then on their criminality and demand they stop and leave. Only then would Syria be clean and free for Syrians.
Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at kbatarfi@gmail.com. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
