Syrian comedian Duraid Laham praises Iran for supporting Assad

Once upon a time, legendary Syrian comedian Duraid Laham's characters mocked dictatorial Arab regimes -- his country's Baath regime included -- and their false promises of social justice, pan-Arab unity and the liberation of Palestine.

His appearances in film, television and theatre marked the golden age of Syrian comedy that also doubled up as profound social commentary on the state of the Arab Orient.

He is mainly known for his streetwise character Ghawwar that millions of Syrians, Levantines and Arabs no doubt still remember.

Laham, however, has contradicted his previous attitudes ever since he sided with the brutal dictatorship in his country that has left much of Syrian an uninhabitable wasteland, in the name of preserving the state and resistance against Israel and imperialism.

Syrian celebrities, like all Syrians, have been divided about who to support in the war.

One could arguably excuse Syrian and Arab intellectuals who have been unable to develop a decisive stance on the Syrian civil war given the implications of the fall of the Assad regime for Syria, the fate of Palestine and resistance against Israel.

One could even understand begrudged support for the Assad regime among those who admit to its atrocities but favour it over the alternative, despite the flimsiness of this argument.

But Laham's position cannot belong to this category as he seems to offer no qualifications for his absolute support for the Syrian regime and its main backer, the regime in Iran.

In doing so, Laham seems no better than the sycophants in the Syrian opposition who have similarly praised the regimes of their backers such as Saudi Arabia, without qualification.

On Tuesday, Laham appeared in a video in which he is heard praising the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and thanking him for the "martyrdom" of his men for the sake of Syria.

In a ceremony titled "Comrades on the path to martyrdom" in Damascus, Laham, addressing Khamenei, said: "Your spirit is holy, your eyes are full of hope. Your hands are ones of action and your words are orders to be followed."

Laham continued: "For you there is love, appreciation and reverence from a steadfast people and a mighty army. Our land has become more sacred because some of your men's souls rose to its sky. Long live Iran and Syria."

The ceremony was also attended by renowned Syrian director Najdat Anzour, who also praised Khamenei.

"From your words we draw hope, from your firmness strength...your sons and brothers who have come to us are now the masters, fighting with our Syrian army heroic epics."

Syrians at home and abroad opposed to the regime were shocked by the remarks, and had harsh words of criticism for Laham and Anzour, especially on social media, accusing him of praising those who are killing his people.

After initial denial, Iran gradually admitted to its extensive intervention in Syria alongside the regime of Bashar al-Assad in the civil war that erupted in the wake of the rebellion against Assad.

Several countries are also involved in the war on opposing sides, including a number of Arab autocratic regimes and militias, all justifying their actions under grand pretexts with little regard for Syrian civilians.