The leaders of G7 nations will convene online today to assess the situation in Syria, where the new authorities who seized power have pledged to restore “the rule of law” four days after the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The White House announced that US President Joe Biden will participate in the meeting, scheduled for 16:30 Greek time.
Following a swift 11-day operation, a coalition of rebels spearheaded by the jihadists of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Assad on Sunday, who has fled to Moscow.
Amid political, social, and security challenges facing Syria—a nation home to people of diverse ethnicities and religions—the new authorities are striving to reassure both domestic and international audiences.
Syria will take centre stage in the discussions of G7 heads of state and government, who are expected to meet online. This summit was initially planned before Assad’s fall and was originally intended to discuss the rotation of the G7 presidency among member countries, according to sources from the Italian presidency.
Yesterday, the G7 stated its readiness to support a transition in Syria toward an “inclusive and non-sectarian” government that respects human rights, particularly those of women as well as “religious and ethnic minorities.”
Following a visit to Jordan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a summit dedicated to Syria, to be held on Saturday in Amman, involving ministers and senior diplomats from the US, EU, Arab nations, and Turkey.
From Jordan, Blinken called for an “inclusive transition” in Syria towards a “responsible and representative government.”
Turkey and Israel
Commenting on military operations by Israel and Turkey in Syria following the rebels’ victory, the US Secretary of State emphasised the importance of ensuring “no new conflicts erupt.”
Blinken then travelled to Ankara, where he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkey supports Syrian rebel groups fighting against Kurds who control parts of northeastern Syria.
From Turkey, Blinken stressed the need for “all actors in Syria (…) to take all possible measures to protect civilians,” according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Israel, which has launched hundreds of strikes against strategically significant military targets in Syria in recent days, has expressed concerns about Syrian military equipment falling “into the wrong hands.” However, Washington is in discussions with Israel on “the path to be followed,” Blinken added.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over “serious violations” of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the Israeli strikes.
The Israeli military has also entered the neutral zone between the occupied Golan Heights and Syria.
Meanwhile, deadly clashes continue in northern Syria between Turkish-backed rebels and pro-Kurdish groups.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), dominated by Kurds and supported by the US, control vast areas in northeastern Syria and play a “vital role” in preventing the resurgence of ISIS, Blinken noted.
Yesterday, the autonomous Kurdish administration announced it had adopted the flag of Syria’s new authorities.
Refugees and aid
After more than half a century of Assad family rule, Syria’s new government aims to restore “the rule of law,” according to a spokesperson for the new authorities, Obaida Arnaout.
The new authorities in Damascus plan to “freeze the constitution and parliament” to allow for constitutional revisions, the spokesperson added.
HTS claims to have severed ties with al-Qaeda but remains classified as a terrorist organisation by many Western countries.
Syria’s transitional Prime Minister Mohammad al-Bashir on Wednesday called on millions of Syrian refugees to return home.
Since 2011, when the civil war began, around six million Syrians—a quarter of the population—have fled the country, with more than half a million people killed during the conflict.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported yesterday that 1.1 million people, mostly women and children, have been displaced since November 27, when the rebels’ advance began.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued an urgent appeal to raise $250 million to provide “food assistance to up to 2.8 million displaced and vulnerable people.”
Also read: G20: Declaration of commitments recap
Source: ANA-MPA
