Assad’s 24-year regime toppling ‘like a house of cards’ marks the end of Iran’s ring of fire around Israel, expert says

BASHAR al-Assad's brutal regime has collapsed "like a house of cards" as rebels stormed Syrian capital Damascus, a military expert has said.

It not only marks the end of one of the most brutal dictatorships in the modern Middle East but also signals the unraveling of Iran’s "ring of fire" encircling Israel.

The rebellion, a broad coalition of opposition forces, launched a lightning offensive on November 27, sweeping through Syria’s northern and southern regions.

Key cities like Homs fell quickly, and Assad’s military, stretched thin and demoralised after years of internal strife, was unable to stop the advance.

As rebels entered the capital, Damascus, Assad fled by air, only to be granted asylum by tyrant pal Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

It comes as an apparent Russian conspiracy to distribute false news about an al-Assad 'aircraft accident' has been exposed.

The Ukrainian Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security claimed on X that Russia "hid their trail" in assisting al-Assad's escape by circulating fake claims that he died in a crash.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, a former IDF spokesperson, described the collapse as more than just the fall of a regime.

It marked the disintegration of a long-standing Iranian and Russian strategy in the region.

"The Syrian regime simply imploded," Conricus told The Sun, adding that the departure of Assad and the retreat of his international backers — including Russia and Iran — left the regime "like a house of cards."

As Assad's plane disappeared from radar, rumours spread that it had been shot down.

But it was eventually confirmed that the Syrian dictator had made it safely to Russia.

With the fall of Bashar al-Assad, rebel forces celebrated the liberation of Damascus.

Statues of the president were torn down, and opposition leaders seized government buildings, including the presidential palace.

Conricus pointed to this moment as a clear turning point in Syria’s future.

While there are still deep uncertainties, the collapse of Assad’s regime opens the door to a new, hopeful direction for the country.

“Syria will be a different country from now on,” he stated.

"Other forces — hopefully free, democratic, pluralistic forces — should now take the lead.”

The implications of Assad’s fall extend far beyond Syria.

For Iran, the collapse of Syria as a strategic ally is a catastrophic blow.

Conricus explained that Syria was an essential part of Iran’s “ring of fire” strategy, a network of proxy states surrounding Israel.

"Without Syria in place, Hezbollah in Lebanon will suffer greatly because they will not have a direct line of supply from Syria via Iraq and into Lebanon," he said.

The weakening of this network could disrupt Iran's broader plan of attack against Israel.

In a bid to prevent these weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists, Israel has launched airstrikes on strategic sites across Syria.

These sites are believed to store chemical and strategic weapons that could be seized by groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

“Israel is scrambling to make sure these weapons do not get into jihadi hands,” Conricus added.

The geopolitical landscape is also being reshaped by Turkey, whose ambitions in the region have raised concerns.

Conricus warned of “Turkish expansionism” in the wake of Assad’s fall, noting that Ankara might seek to extend its influence southward.

“Turkey has no place to be invading other countries,” he said.

"If Turkey confronts Israel, Israel will defend itself. And that could lead to a very dangerous situation."

Despite these challenges, the collapse of Assad’s regime offers a glimmer of hope for the Syrian people.

Rebel leaders have pledged to build a democratic, pluralistic Syria.

The Syrian National Coalition, which has gained control of much of the country, is working to establish a transitional government focused on unity and reconciliation.

Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, captured by the rebels, has expressed willingness to assist with the transition.

"The message is one of hope for Syria’s future,” Conricus noted.

But the expert cautioned that Syria faces numerous obstacles on its road to recovery.

The nation will need to rebuild its infrastructure, address sectarian tensions, and manage extremist factions within the opposition.

"It’s a complex situation," he said.

"But if the new leaders of Syria can find a way to bring about peace and respect for minorities, there is potential for a very positive future."

The fall of Assad is not only a symbolic victory for Syria but also for Israel and the broader Middle East.

Conricus reflected on the irony that Hamas, which launched an attack on Israel in October 2023 believing Israel was weak, may not have foreseen the collapse of the Syrian regime and the unraveling of Iran’s influence.

"The Iranian axis of violence and terror against Israel is suffering significant defeats," he said.

“Hamas and Hezbollah are weaker than ever."

Looking ahead, Conricus emphasised the importance of supporting a free and democratic Syria.

"Peace with Israel has always been the path to prosperity for any Arab country," he stated, hopeful that Syria might finally embrace this vision.

With the fall of Assad, the Middle East enters an uncertain but potentially transformative era.

While the immediate future remains unpredictable, the end of Syria’s brutal dictatorship could pave the way for a more peaceful, stable, and democratic region.

The world now watches as Syrians take their first steps toward rebuilding their country, and as the remnants of Iran’s "ring of fire" continue to smoulder.