Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has urged Israel to refrain from its attacks in Syrian territory. The Secretary-General made these remarks today, Friday, December 20, and emphasized that no military forces, except for peacekeepers, should be present in the demilitarized zone between Syria and the occupied territories.
Guterres further stated that Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity must be fully preserved, and any aggressive actions should cease immediately. He added that peacekeepers must have the freedom to carry out their essential duties. Israel and Syria are expected to uphold the provisions of the 1974 disengagement agreement, which remains in full force.
Meanwhile, Guterres also outlined the international community’s perspective, suggesting that the first step towards reducing existing sanctions on Syria should be taken. He remarked, “We must not forget that sanctions were imposed on the Assad regime. The situation has changed. We are clearly in a transitional phase. In this process, I believe there are actions for both sides to take.”
Following the political developments in Syria, Ahmad Shaara, who currently leads Syria, has called for the removal of sanctions on the country. In an interview with the BBC in Damascus, Shaara stated that Syria is tired of war and does not pose a threat to the West or its neighbors. He further emphasized that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) should be removed from the list of terrorist organizations and sanctions should be lifted.
Shaara also asserted that they have not targeted civilians or civilian areas and consider themselves victims of Assad’s regime crimes. He stated that victims should not be treated the same way as the perpetrators of repression.
However, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that it is still too early to lift sanctions against Syria. This comes as HTS is recognized as a terrorist group by the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and many other countries.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after armed opposition groups moved closer to Damascus, fled to Russia, which confirmed that he and his family had arrived safely.
While Assad and his late father, Hafez al-Assad, are accused by Syrians, human rights groups, and other governments of widespread extrajudicial killings, including mass executions in the notorious prisons of Syria, Assad has consistently denied allegations of human rights abuses by his government.
The situation in Syria remains complex, with diplomatic efforts, the question of sanctions, and the future of the Assad regime at the forefront. The international community is divided on how to approach these issues, with some calling for sanctions relief and others urging caution. The future of Syria hinges on resolving these disputes, ensuring peace, and addressing the human rights concerns that have plagued the country for years.
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