Amid the increasing tensions engulfing Syria, Iran's role emerges as one of the prominent regional powers that stokes internal conflicts and exploits chaos to achieve its interests. Recent scenes witnessed in several Syrian areas, where sectarian slogans like "O Ali" and "O Hussein" have risen, led by individuals supported by Iran, clearly reflect an organized exploitation of societal divisions and sectarian tensions. These events, when compared to the recent statements of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, provide a clear picture of Iran's strategy in Syria, which aims to keep the country hostage to chaos and infighting.

Khamenei's statements, in which he claimed that "the Syrian youth have nothing to lose" and that they must confront those "who planned this chaos," are not just passing words but rather inciting rhetoric aimed at dragging Syrian youth into new conflicts that serve Iranian regional interests. Khamenei, who attempted to justify Iran's intervention in Syria by denying the existence of "proxy forces," overlooks his country’s direct role in supporting sectarian militias that have contributed to the dismantling of Syrian society and destabilizing it.

This inciting rhetoric coincides with the rising tensions in Alawite areas that have witnessed protests exploiting religious and sectarian symbols to enhance division. Iran, fully aware of the fragility of the Syrian situation following the decline of the Assad regime's influence, seeks to exploit this chaos to impose its regional agenda, taking advantage of the poverty, unemployment, and insecurity faced by Syrian youth. This policy does not aim to protect Syrians but rather to use them as fuel for Iranian hegemony projects.

Just as happened in Iraq after 2003, where Iran exploited sectarian divisions to enhance its influence, it is today trying to repeat the same scenario in Syria. The bombing of the shrine of the two military Imams in Samarra in 2006, which sparked sectarian fighting in Iraq, represents a model of Iran's strategy in exploiting religious symbols to create a favorable environment for intervention and control. In Syria, we witness similar policies aimed at changing the demographic composition through support for sectarian settlement in certain regions. These strategies reflect Iran's insistence on reinforcing its hegemony, even at the expense of Syrian unity and stability.

However, the greatest challenge today is not limited to confronting Iranian interventions but also includes the internal responsibility of all components of the Syrian people, including the Alawite community. The Alawite community, as an integral part of Syrian society, has a historical responsibility to prevent itself from being turned into a tool in the hands of external powers. It must realize that its true interests lie in preserving the unity of the homeland and engaging in an inclusive national project away from narrow calculations and sectarian divisions.

Syria can only rise with a comprehensive national project that rebuilds national identity on the foundations of justice and equality. This project cannot be achieved without comprehensive and fair accountability for all war criminals, regardless of their affiliations or positions. Justice is not only a moral demand but a prerequisite for achieving national reconciliation and ensuring that the tragedies of the past are not repeated. Fair trials, overseen by independent human rights entities, will restore trust among the components of the Syrian people and put an end to the cycle of violence and revenge.

In this context, the Ministry of Justice must play a pivotal role in achieving justice and promoting the rule of law. Activating the role of the ministry is not limited to pursuing inciters and criminals; it also includes building strong and independent judicial institutions capable of facing current and future challenges. Justice must be all-encompassing and non-selective, affecting all those involved in bloodshed or incitement, regardless of their nationality or sect.

National unity is not an option that can be postponed; it is an existential necessity for preserving Syria as a unified and independent state. Division, fueled by regional and international powers, is the greatest danger threatening the country. Syrians must realize that their true interest lies in enhancing solidarity and working together to build a strong state based on respect for rights and equality.

Khamenei's statements, along with his attempts to exploit the Syrian situation, should serve as a call for Syrians to rally around a national project that puts an end to external interventions. Sectarianism is not the solution; it is a trap leading to further destruction and division. Intellectuals and local leaders must play a role in raising awareness in their communities about the dangers of falling into external agendas and working to promote national dialogue that rebuilds trust among various components.

Building the future of Syria requires political will and collective courage to abandon narrow calculations and engage in a comprehensive project that restores the dignity and homeland of Syrians. Justice and accountability are not only a guarantee of justice for victims, but are also a prerequisite for building a future based on reconciliation and peace. Syria will not be strong and stable except through its national unity, which is built on the foundations of justice, equality and accountability, far from foreign interventions and the rotten illusions of sectarianism.

Levant-Shiar Khalil