Former Syrian Vice President Abdul Haleem Khaddam stated that the reason behind the recent Syrian campaign targeting Saudi Arabia is that the Kingdom, due to its Arab and international position, represents a major barrier against Iranian dominance in the region.
Khaddam affirmed in an interview with “Al-Watan” newspaper today that Syria is governed by a ruling clique that “disrupted constitutional institutions, surpassed laws, used repression against citizens, spread corruption in the country, instilled fear among Syrian citizens, monopolized decisions, and put Syria in a dangerous position. This has led to severe economic crises, spreading poverty and unemployment, weakening state resources, and halting economic growth.”
Khaddam condemned the statements of Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa, in which he criticized the role of the Kingdom in the region, considering these statements as part of a policy aimed at severing Syria’s ties with the Arab system and strengthening its connection to Iran’s regional strategy.
He added that “Al-Sharaa speaks in the name of his master (referring to the Syrian President),” considering that the campaign began with statements from Bashar al-Assad against Arab leaders. It continued intensively against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through multiple statements from Al-Sharaa and others, as well as through Syrian media and the agents of Syrian intelligence in Lebanon.
Khaddam stated that the focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is linked to Iran’s regional strategy. He considered that the role of the Syrian regime in this strategy is to launch a defamation campaign against the Kingdom and its leaders. This is because the Kingdom, due to its Arab and international position and its resources, represents a major obstacle against Iranian interests in the region, whether in the Arabian Gulf, Iraq, Palestine, or Lebanon.
He added that the Syrian President, “after being involved in extending (the Lebanese President’s term) and the issuance of Resolution 1559, the assassination of President Rafik Hariri, and a number of Lebanese leaders, found himself facing international and Arab accountability. His biggest mistake was tying Syria to Iran’s regional strategy, hoping that it would serve as a guarantee for him by using the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah in escalating the situation in Lebanon and pushing it towards explosion. At that point, Bashar al-Assad imagines that he will transform from an accused party to a partner in solving the region’s problems, and the issue of the International Court will be closed.”
Khaddam considered that Al-Sharaa’s statements are condemned by the Syrian people, who have historical and close relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the establishment of both states. He stated that the Syrian people categorically reject these suspicious campaigns against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
