Russian state media has been working overtime since the start of the Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war. All of the various internet and television assets are working off a common narrative, that Russia is solving the Syrian crisis in conjunction with Iran. I noticed another curious aspect of this blanket coverage today: the suggestion that Syrian President Assad may resign if “requested by the Syrian people.”
However, humorous that last statement may sound, the nugget of news that should be gleaned from the coverage is the mention at all of Mr. Assad’s resignation. This was not put out for the public’s consumption without having been thoroughly vetted by the Kremlin.
The question is, what does it mean?
Here are the Tweets from the Syrian Presidential account that were mentioned in the Russian press:
Syrian Presidency @Presidency_Sy
President #Assad to the Iranian #Khabar #TV: If my leaving office is the solution, I will never hesitate to do so.
8:40 AM - 4 Oct 2015
Syrian Presidency @Presidency_Sy
President #Assad to the Iranian Khabar #TV: Whatever the Syrian people decide will be binding
to us as a state and to me as an official.
8:19 AM - 4 Oct 2015
Either this is just propaganda that the Syrian presidency is legitimate or Moscow is starting to prep the public for Mr. Assad’s removal. This remains to be seen but the mention is extremely interesting.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.