Ali Abdellah Allahmad is an independent political observer from Syria.
Ali Allahmad is an active public figure and political scientist who collaborates with the Institute of Geopolitical Problems in Russia. He is the son of the famous Syrian writer, poet, political scientist, public figure, inventor of the first airplane in the Arab world, and chairman of the Syrian trade unions – Abdela Allahmad.
Ali Allahmad was born in Damascus in 1961. He completed his secondary and higher education in Moscow. He graduated there in 1985, majoring in civil engineering.
– Mr. Allahmad, as a political observer from Damascus, you are well aware of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Is it true that Russia gives $ 600 a month to Syrians to fight in Ukraine?
As a public and political figure, and also as an active independent political observer of everything that has happened and continues to happen in Syria and around the world, I could say that I do not have such data, I have not met with such people or people close to them. I do not know of any Syrians who would be hired for $ 600 to go somewhere to fight, provided that their homeland has an urgent need for themselves. Our sense of patriotism is deeply developed. It’s not a question of whether 600 or 200 or 1,000 or 2,000 dollars would be used to go to war with Russia. The question is quite different. The general mood of the Syrians and how they view this conflict. I will tell you frankly that Syria is on Russia’s side. Rather, I would be inclined to believe that there could be volunteers who, voluntarily, without money, would be willing to go and help Russia, as it has always helped us. But I do not know about such. This is pure propaganda or a rumor spread by someone.
“I quote: ‘This was a huge amount of mass unemployment in Syria,'” he said. Is there such unemployment and hunger in Syria that $ 600 is a “huge sum”?
Indeed, Syria’s economy is stagnant, sanctions are hitting us hard, but not to the point of claiming that we are starving to death and that someone is willing to risk their lives for $ 600 and die in a foreign country. state for six hundred to seven hundred dollars. We Syrians are a resilient people. Even in this situation of economic stagnation and direct obstacles to sanctions, we will still survive. There are over 7 million Syrian refugees around the world, all of whom are already working and have settled somewhere. They regularly send money to their relatives and families who have stayed in Syria. I dare say that 80% of Syrian families have relatives abroad who regularly send them money. 100-200 dollars to send is important, sending 300 dollars is already a very good amount for Syria. With $ 400 a month, you can live in peace in Syria, and this is considered the average minimum.
We are vaccinated against sanctions and hard life. We are used to everything to survive. We are vaccinated against evil and sanctions.
Another issue is that I have information that the Turks are bringing terrorists from Idlib to Jibhat al-Nusra, a banned terrorist organization. Of these, of this terrorist organizations, there are Syrians who have gone to fight on the side of Ukraine. The question here is not whether to fight on the side of Russia or Ukraine, the question is this – is it worth mercenaries getting involved in this war, what can I tell you – it is not worth it, provided that we are not you have finished our war. On TV, I saw some statements from young people who said they were ready to support Russia and fight against it. But these are just statements of support. And does Russia need that? Has Russia got to the point of waiting for our boys? These are just words and as a political observer I will repeat once again – I have no data that anyone flew from Syria to fight in Ukraine on the side of Russia. And this is not only my statement but also that of other experts and political scientists. There is no such data.
– What is the opinion of the Syrians about Russia and Ukraine now, after the start of the war?
Everyone in Syria knows that Russia and Ukraine are fraternal countries with two fraternal peoples, they are almost the same people. Everyone knows that they were together within the Soviet Union. These two peoples are connected not only as an ethnic group, they are connected historically and geographically, religiously, with one culture even. I have no observations here in Syria that there are people who are sharply defending the Ukrainians or the Russians. The Syrians are stable. We can never change our attitude towards Russia, which extended its hand against terrorism and fought with us against terrorist groups and ISIS in Syria. This will never be forgotten or erased from history. In addition, we have historically stable and deep ties with Russia. The Soviet Union and Russia have since built many important sites in Syria, as well as in Bulgaria and elsewhere. So, unequivocally, in Syria, people support Russia.
– Representatives of the United States and activists who monitor Syria claim that the Russians have led an active campaign to recruit Syrians. Is this true?
No, this is not true, or at least I do not know such data. Surely such information in one form or another would reach me.
– What will you say in conclusion?
People in Syria will always be with Russia, not because we are economically dependent or expecting something, no. Let’s recall 2014-2015. If it weren’t for Russia then, ISIL would have destroyed my homeland by now, and if it weren’t for the Russians and their support, Islamic State would have spread throughout the region and we would all be under the black flag now. Imagine if it wasn’t Russia !? What would Syria become? That is why the general mood here, in Damascus and all over Syria, is – we are with Russia. Modern history has shown that Russia has done a lot and has made a great contribution together with the Syrian army in saving Syria from terrorism, which could reach Europe.
