As Syria slowly reenters the Arab fold, its recent mended relations with Hamas have drawn renewed attention to the so-called “resistance axis” in the region. This alliance, consisting of Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and Syria, has become a significant factor in the escalation of violence across the Middle East. However, the extent of Syria’s contribution to Hamas’s material strength is small and unlikely to have played a role in facilitating recent assaults.
The reconciliation between Hamas and the Syrian regime, led by President Bashar al-Assad, occurred in October of last year, more than a decade after their fallout during the early years of the Syrian civil war. The reconciliation was reportedly encouraged by Hezbollah and Iran as a response to the growing number of Arab governments normalizing relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.
With Hamas feeling isolated due to Israel’s tightening siege of Gaza and Syria’s struggling economy and infrastructure targeted by Israeli air raids, Damascus saw an opportunity to repair its relationship with its main supporters, Iran and Hezbollah. However, Syria’s role within the broader alliance remains largely passive, with Hezbollah and Iran taking the lead in any military actions against Israel.
While Syria’s geostrategic position provides Iran with a foothold in the Arab-Israeli arena and allows it to target US positions in the region, the Syrian regime itself is heavily dependent on either Iran or Russia. Syria’s involvement in any military front against Israel would likely be launched by Hezbollah or pro-Iranian militias.
Since the start of the war on Gaza, Syria has become a battleground for attacks and reprisals between Israel and the US, and Iran and Iran-backed militias. The escalation in violence further destabilizes Syria and increases the likelihood of the country becoming a proxy war zone for regional and global powers, causing more suffering for the Syrian people.
While the Syrian regime’s alliance with Hamas may benefit Assad politically as regional leaders face increasing pressure to change their stance towards Israel, his popularity within Syria remains weak. The Syrian population continues to suffer from the deepening socioeconomic crisis, with the majority living below the poverty line. Assad’s support for Hamas is seen by many as a tactic to divert attention away from the regime’s own human rights violations.
It is important to note that the Syrian regime’s championing of the Palestinian cause does not erase the memory of atrocities perpetrated by Assad’s government. Many draw parallels between Israel’s blockade and bombardment of Gaza with Syria’s siege of the Yarmouk refugee camp, which brought the Palestinian population to the brink of starvation.
In conclusion, Syria’s recent alliance with Hamas has brought attention to the “resistance axis” in the region. While Syria’s role remains largely passive, the escalation of violence between regional and global powers in the country further destabilizes Syria and increases the suffering of its people. Assad’s support for Hamas is seen as a political move, but it does little to change his weak popularity within Syria due to the ongoing socioeconomic crisis and human rights violations.
