HEZBOLLAH’S chief, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on September 27, leaving a significant void in Syria’s support network. Syria declared three days of mourning in response, with flags flown at half-mast across Damascus. Nasrallah had been a crucial supporter of Assad’s regime during Syria’s civil war and the fight against terrorism, making his death a significant blow to Syria.
Many Syrians in government-controlled areas expressed grief and frustration over the loss of Nasrallah, viewing him as a steadfast ally.
“He stood with the people and the resistance of Palestine all the time, never deserted them. His attitude was heroic, and he was a man of his words,” said a Damascus resident named Sobhi.
“We do not forget his standing with us during the Syrian crisis; we shared our victories; the Lebanese and Syrian people stood together at that time. Southern Lebanon is part of our cause, so is the Palestine cause,” said Damascus resident Sanaa.
Syrian media has warned that Nasrallah’s assassination could lead to widespread regional conflict, further destabilizing an already fragile Syria. Political analyst Muhammad Omari emphasized that continued conflict in Lebanon could impact Syria through increased economic strain and security threats.
Omari explained that Syria is already under economic pressure due to sanctions, and an influx of refugees from Lebanon could worsen shortages of essential goods. There are also fears that Israel might target Syria under the pretext of Hezbollah using Syrian territory to smuggle weapons.
Just days before Nasrallah’s killing, five Syrian soldiers died in an Israeli airstrike near the Lebanon-Syria border. Israel also confirmed strikes on infrastructure in the region to prevent weapons transfers to Hezbollah.
While Syria has maintained a cautious stance in the conflict due to its own fragile internal situation, Israeli strikes on Syrian territory have increased since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, making Syria a critical player in the ongoing regional crisis.
With the death of Hezbollah’s leader, Syria faces growing uncertainty and increased vulnerability to further Israeli attacks. Analysts predict that if Israel launches a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, Syria may become a key target, heightening the region’s instability.
