US withdrawal from Syria means economic breakthrough for regime: Syrian economist
WASHINGTON, US (North Press) – A Syrian economic researcher said that the economic capabilities of the “Syrian regime” are still destroyed, and that any American withdrawal from northeast Syria would give an opportunity for some countries to normalize their relations with it.
In an exclusive interview with North Press, Dr. Samir Se’eifan, a prominent Syrian economist and currently, the General Manager of Harmoon Center for Contemporary Studies, said that “the crises of the Syrian citizens in the regime-held areas are the most severe.”
“The economic crises of the Syrian regime are continuing, and the regime has no hope of getting out of it unless it regains the rich region of northeast Syria,” Se’eifan added.
However, Se’eifan suggested that the US would not leave the northeastern region of Syria so that it would not be controlled by the regime and the Russians, which are waiting for the opportunity to pounce upon it if the American forces leave.
He pointed out that if the US forces withdrew from northeastern Syria, “this would mean an economic breakthrough for the Syrian regime and would give an excuse for the countries of the world for final and complete normalization with the regime.”
The economist indicated that the US presence in northeast Syria does not cost it large sums of money and does not cause casualties to the its army, “which makes the option to stay easier than the option to stay in Afghanistan or Iraq.”
“Iran’s oil aid to Lebanon and Syria is not able to save the situation. It only aims to save Hezbollah’s reputation after the corruption scandals that Lebanon has witnessed in recent years.”
He stated that the past months have witnessed American leniency with Iran regarding its dealings with Lebanon and Syria, as Washington has not fully implemented Caesar Act and is trying to turn a blind eye to some Iranian moves.
He said that despite the decline in the pace of battles, “the regime is still spending the bulk of the country’s resources it controls for the military effort. It continues to recruit large numbers of young people, which requires huge military expenses.”