President Bashar al Assad is stronger today than near past, says Pakistani analyst

In an interview, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, the Vice President of International Islamic University Islamabad said, “It is because of Al Assad’s growing popularity that powers such as Saudi Arabia, the European Union, Turkey and the United States have been unable to topple his regime, despite extensive military and financial support.”

Detailing why he thought the Syrian insurgency movement has failed to overtake Syria’s legitimate institutions, Dr. Mumtaz noted that difference of opinions within the region, and domestic challenges in countries such as Turkey for example have led to a fragmentation of the Syrian opposition and thus played in favour of President Al Assad’s regime.

Rising threats of extremism in Europe, Al Qaeda’s growing influence over the Syrian opposition and the spread of radicalisation in the Middle East and abroad have all contributed to dissidents’ failure.

To a question about Pakistan’s changing position on Syria, the analyst explained, “Earlier Pakistan had a neutral position on Arab states but recently, Islamabad has changed its policy toward Syria following pressure from some Arab countries, namely Saudi regime.”

He added, “There are reports that Pakistan could provide weapons to rebels in Syria as well as dispatch Pakistani military instructors to train volunteers in Saudi Arabia ahead of their deployment in Syria to fight the regime.”

He made clear that such position on Syria, would likely backfire on Pakistan and lead to difficulties.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad who is famous for his on-point analyses on the Middle East warned that the war would likely last for another five years. He explained that by then Syria would have all but completely collapse, endangering the entire Levant. 

The expert advised neighbouring countries to end their meddling in Syria's affairs to instead concentrate on dealing and handling their own domestic issues – namely, Jordan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia – as well as seek a diplomatic solution to the current crisis by negotiating a truce with President Al Assad.