The Syrian war Reactions to the change of power

Expert: High risk of new civil war in Syria

Diplomats from Turkey, the US, the EU and Arab countries are gathering in Jordan today to discuss Syria's future. This is reported by several media.

Since the rebel group HTS deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, many countries hope to gain influence over the government that will take over the country's rule, according to Reuters.

According to Sky News correspondent Alex Rossi, on the ground in northern Syria, the country's future hangs in the balance - and could end in a new civil war.

- Syria is full of factions and sectarian groups, and also weapons. So the risk of it happening is quite high if they don't get the right side of it.

Sources: Russia does not intend to abandon crucial bases

Russia is withdrawing its military from the front lines in northern Syria and from posts in the Alawite Mountains, but is not leaving its two main bases in the country. This is stated by four high-ranking Syrian officials to Reuters.

Satellite images on Friday showed military equipment being loaded onto two large transport planes at the Russian Hmeimim air base in Syria. At least one cargo plane is said to have flown to Libya on Saturday, but according to a military source this does not mean the Russians intend to leave the base entirely.

Hmeimim an important military base for Russian military as well as mercenary operations in Africa. Together with the military base in Tartus, it plays a significant role in Russia's global military presence.

Analysis: "The entire Russian operation is destroyed"

The Syrians barely had time to take in the fact that al-Assad's regime had fallen before other countries tried to intervene in the country's future, writes Mohamad Bazzi in an analysis in The Guardian. While the change of power was celebrated on Sunday, Israel, Turkey and the US carried out attacks on the country in an attempt to protect their own interests.

"When Syrians are now grappling with how to rebuild their devastated country, Israel, the United States and Turkey are fighting for influence. The Syrians deserve to avoid being pawns in other countries' ambitions and conflicts," writes Bazzi.

Another country that took part in the development in Syria is Russia. The Russian war operation in the country has been about maximizing influence in the Middle East and securing Russian military bases, writes DN's Anna-Lena Laurén. But the efforts turned out to be a historical parenthesis, she notes.

“In 2020, the Syrian government held two-thirds of the country. Four years later it would lose every centimeter and the entire Russian operation would be annihilated.”