As Other Arab States Condemn Israeli Attacks on Iran, Syria Is Notably Silent

In the hours after Israel launched its most brazen attacks yet on Iran, Arab countries — many of which are no real friends of the Islamic republic — quickly condemned the Israeli aggression.
Arab leaders denounced the Israeli strikes as 'heinous attacks' and 'violations of international law.' But amid the chorus of criticism, one key player in the region has remained notably silent: Syria.
The decision by Syria's new government, led by President Ahmed al-Shara, to remain silent is a sign of just how much the geopolitical sands have shifted in the country since rebels toppled the Assad regime in December, analysts say.
That regime was among Iran's closet allies in the region, providing key support as Iran built up its network of anti-Israel militias, the so-called Axis of Resistance, across the Levant.
But since coming to power, the new government has made clear that Iran's proxies are no longer welcome in Syria and pledged that it would not allow any armed groups to launch attacks into Israel from Syrian soil.
That pledge is part of Mr. al-Shara's effort to win support from Western countries and also the result of deep-seated resentment toward Iran, which provided military aid to the dictator Bashar al-Assad to fight rebel forces during Syria's nearly 14-year civil war, analysts say.
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