The Fall of Assad and Christians.

While Assad's backers have been fighting external enemies Syrian opposition forces have quickly taken control of Damascus. The opposition forces are mostly led by groups that had or still have links to groups like Al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Despite the Leader of Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS) saying they and he have changed. The leader of this group is dressing like Vlodymir Zelenskyy wearing green khaki and trimming his beard. Reflecting the fact that he and his group are not so extremist. In a mosque in Damascus, the HTS leader said he would represent all Syrians regardless of ethnicity or faith. The rebels of various factions have formed a new administration. Whether this coalition will last remains to be seen.

With his shortened beard and khaki fatigues the HTS leader resembles Fidel Castro. Will he now be the leader of a new Syria whatever form that country takes or will he pull the strings in the background?

Assad himself is in Moscow as the Russians gave him asylum. The Russians like the Americans in Afghanistan withdrew as the rebels advanced on Damascus. Russia still has military bases in Syria. What will happen to Russia's military presence in Syria remains to be seen. With the fall of President Assad, Russia has lost a major friend in the Middle East. Russia could not protect Assad because it is expending itself in Ukraine. Iran has been weakened also by the fall of Assad. Assad was a Shite ally of Iran, now he is gone, Iran's influence in the region has weakened. Iran doesn't seem willing to launch a third attack on Israel. Hezbollah another friend of President Assad, has been much reduced in its war with Israel. When Assad in his moment of need needed Hezbollah they could not help him.

President Assad and his Father before him were evil dictators make no bones about that! It is understandable why many Syrians both at home and abroad are glad to see the back of him.

The US, Israel, and the Turks are the main winners in the fall of President Assad. Israel has invaded Syria bombing the Syrian navy, air force and other targets to smithereens. Many far-right Israelis see a greater Israel forming as in The Old Testament. The Americans have gained because Israel as America's proxy is doing its dirty work for it. The Turks are backing other groups triumphant in Damascus. There remain American troops in Syria.

Some of the militias in Syria are Christian. They formed to protect their communities from attacks by ISIS and other extremist groups. What part they have played and will play in the new Syria remains to be seen.

With the success of groups like HTS the Christian community is understandably worried. Given HTS's past (or present) links to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State despite the assurances of HTS's leader the Christian community is rightly concerned. Many church leaders in the Middle East and beyond have expressed their concerns. They have called on the international community to act and protect this community. The Greek Orthodox Church has called on Greece to act. Not just for the Orthodox Church but for Christians of all denominations.

Badman that President Assad was his regime protected the Christian community. Or did he? The protection of Christians and others probably came at a cost. As long as you played ball with his regime (like many dictatorial regimes) you would be okay. However, with Assad gone Christians and other Syrians are trying to get on with their lives. They will be hoping and praying that HTS and others will keep to their promises of equality and fairness for all.

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