Hamas, PIJ adjust to post-Assad Syria, eye continued Iranian support - analysis
Both Hamas and PIJ have been hosted by the Assad regime over the decades.
Hamas has said that it “congratulates our brotherly Syrian people on their success in achieving their aspirations for freedom and justice, and calls on all components of the Syrian people to unite ranks, further national cohesion, and rise above the pains of the past.”
Meanwhile, the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad group has also said that the changes in Syria are an “internal matter.” This is important because both Hamas and PIJ have been hosted by the Assad regime over the decades.
Both terror groups are trying to position themselves to find a way to work with the new authorities in Damascus. Hamas may have an easier time because it is seen as a Sunni Islamic movement rooted in the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas is backed by Qatar, Turkey, Iran, and Russia.
'Palestinian people stand firmly with the great Syrian people'
Hamas said after the Assad regime fell on December 8 that “Palestinian people stand firmly with the great Syrian people, and we affirm the unity of Syria and the integrity of its territories and respect of the Syrian people, their will, independence, and political choice.”
Hamas holds 100 hostages and continues to fight Israel in Gaza and kill Israeli soldiers as well. Three were killed in fighting in northern Gaza this week.
Hamas said this week, “The brotherly Syrian people, with all their spectrums, national unity, and the spirit of brotherhood and tolerance, are capable, God-willing, of overcoming all challenges and passing through this delicate stage in a way that achieves goodness, development, security, stability, and prosperity for Syria and its dear people.”They explained that this is so that “Syria can continue its historical and pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian people and their resistance to achieve the goals of their just cause and consolidating Syria’s leadership role at the level of the Arab and Islamic nation and at the regional and international levels.”Meanwhile, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, secretary general of PIJ, said on December 9 that the recent developments in Syria are an “internal matter” for the Arab country.Both these groups want to make sure they will continue to get Iranian backing and also get sustenance from Damascus. Hamas had been critical of the Assad regime during the civil war, but Yahya Sinwar had been able to bring the terror group back into the good graces of the Syrian regime.Now Sinwar is dead but Hamas wants new ties with the Syrian groups in Damascus.Nakhalah said he hopes that Syria would continue to be a steadfast supporter of the Palestinian people and their “just” cause, as it has been in the past, according to a report at Iran’s IRNA state media.“On Sunday, Syrian armed opposition groups took control of Damascus, forcing President Bashar Assad to leave the country, following a lightning offensive that caught the Syrian army by surprise,” the report said.“We stand firmly alongside the great Syrian people and stress the importance of unity and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as respect for the people of this country and their will, independence, and political choices,” Nakhalah added.
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