In a recent statement that underscores the ongoing complexities of the Syrian conflict, Colonel Riyad al-Asaad, the founding leader of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), has offered a critical perspective on Syria’s military and political landscape. His remarks highlight the transformation of Syria’s armed forces and the changing geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Al-Asaad, who played a pivotal role in forming the opposition military group during the early stages of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, emphasized that the Syrian Army under Bashar al-Assad’s regime was never a true national institution. “The Syrian army was not a state institution,” he stated. “Its sole purpose was to protect Assad, not to serve the Syrian people.”
The Free Syrian Army emerged as a key opposition force during the initial protests against the Assad regime, bringing together defected Syrian military personnel and civilian volunteers. Founded in July 2011, the FSA became a primary armed resistance group during the early years of the Syrian Civil War, opposing both the government forces and later, extremist groups like ISIS.
Al-Asaad’s recent comments also highlight the shifting international dynamics in Syria. He noted that Russians are increasingly being perceived as enemies by the Syrian population, a significant change from earlier stages of the conflict when Russian military intervention was crucial to the Assad regime’s survival.
