Damascus, Syria – The post-Assad regime in Syria, widely labeled as the “Turco-Syrian Al Qaeda” by its critics, is facing mounting resistance from a diverse coalition of Syrians across ethnic and religious lines. Protests and armed clashes have erupted in recent weeks, with citizens decrying the regime’s alleged violations of democratic rights, religious freedoms, human rights, and women’s rights.
At the heart of the controversy is the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa and other top figures, many of whom hold Turkish citizenship—a detail that has sparked accusations of foreign interference and questions of loyalty.
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The regime came to power following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s Baath Party government late last year, a shift orchestrated with significant Turkish military support. Critics argue that Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, handpicked al-Sharaa and his allies—many of whom emerged from Idlib under the banner of Turkey-backed Salafist Islamist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—to lead this new government. HTS, once an Al Qaeda affiliate, has been rebranded by its supporters as a legitimate governing force, but its roots and Turkey’s role in its rise have fueled skepticism about its legitimacy.
Dual Citizenship and Conflict of Interest
A major point of contention is the dual citizenship held by al-Sharaa and other high-ranking officials, some of whom reportedly possess only Turkish citizenship. In many nation-states, dual citizenship disqualifies individuals from holding public office due to potential conflicts of interest, raising doubts about whether these leaders prioritize Syrian sovereignty or Turkish interests. “These are not Syrian leaders; they are Turkey’s proxies,” said Layla Hassan, a Damascus-based activist. “After years in Turkey and Idlib, surrounded by Salafist militants, how can they claim to represent us?”
The issue has deepened public distrust, with many Syrians arguing that the post-Assad regime fails to meet basic criteria for legitimate governance. “This is not a government of the people,” said a Kurdish community leader in Qamishli, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns. “It’s a Turkish imposition, and we’re paying the price.”
Turkey’s Neo-Ottoman Ambitions
Analysts point to Turkey’s long-standing Neo-Ottoman ideology, championed by Erdogan since his tenure as prime minister and intensified during his presidency, as the driving force behind its actions in Syria. Turkey has been accused of sponsoring a range of anti-Assad terrorist groups—spanning Al Qaeda affiliates, ISIS factions, and the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP)—to destabilize the Baathist regime and install a government aligned with its interests.
Erdogan’s vision, critics say, is to revive a modern Caliphate, with Syria as a stepping stone. This ambition has clashed with the secular aspirations of Syria’s Kurdish population, who have long sought regional autonomy and recognition of their right to self-determination. Turkey’s refusal to negotiate peace with Kurdish groups, instead labeling them as terrorists tied to the PKK, is seen as a strategy to suppress Kurdish independence while forcing them into a Turkish-dominated framework.
Anti-Israel Rhetoric and Regional Tensions
The regime’s ties to Turkey have also amplified anti-Israel sentiment. Turkey’s well-documented support for Hamas, viewed as part of a broader Global Salafist movement, has raised alarms in Jerusalem. The slogan “Today Damascus, Tomorrow Jerusalem,” popularized by regime supporters, has been interpreted as a direct threat to Israel. Israeli officials have expressed discomfort with Turkey’s growing influence in Syria, particularly as the Turco-Syrian Al Qaeda leadership targets Druze and Kurdish communities—groups that have historically maintained friendly ties with Israel.
“Turkey hid its anti-Israel stance for decades under a façade of friendship,” said an Israeli diplomatic source. “Now, with this regime in Damascus, the mask is off.”
A New Afghanistan?
Reports of escalating violence have fueled comparisons to Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Women’s rights advocates have documented attacks on women, while non-Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Kurds report massacres and forced displacement. “Turkey has turned Syria into a laboratory for Salafist extremism,” said a Christian resident of Aleppo, who fled to Lebanon last month. “The massacres have already begun.”
The regime’s actions have drawn scrutiny for potential violations of international law, with allegations that Turkey coerced NATO allies into pushing for HTS’s delisting as a terrorist organization—a move that critics say undermines global security norms.
Calls for a Federal, Secular Syria
As resistance grows, a coalition of Syrian activists, ethnic minorities, and secular political factions is calling for the removal of the Turco-Syrian Al Qaeda regime. Their vision: a federal, secular, and democratic Syria that respects the rights of all its people. “This is not about one group dominating another,” said a spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led militia. “It’s about building a country where everyone has a voice.”
The international community remains divided. While some NATO members hesitate to challenge Turkey, others, alongside Israel, are signaling readiness to support efforts to dismantle the current regime. For now, Syria teeters on the brink, caught between Turkey’s ambitions and its people’s demands for freedom.
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