World cautious over ‘terrorist’ HTS role in new Syria

PARIS: International diplomats reacted cautiously on Monday to the prospect of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) group taking control in Syria after the fall of President Bashar Al Assad. HTS, which led the rebel groups that ousted Al Assad, has its roots in the Syrian branch of Al Qaida and is proscribed as

PARIS: International diplomats reacted cautiously on Monday to the prospect of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) group taking control in Syria after the fall of President Bashar Al Assad.

HTS, which led the rebel groups that ousted Al Assad, has its roots in the Syrian branch of Al Qaida and is proscribed as a “terrorist” organisation by Western governments, including the European Union.

Although HTS and its leader Abu Mohammad Al Jolani have promised to protect minorities and respect people’s rights, Europe is not ready to trust them just yet.

No EU contact

The EU is “not currently engaging with HTS or its leaders full stop”, EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni said.

Despite initially encouraging words from Al Jolani – who like his group, is subject to EU sanctions – the bloc said it would reserve judgment on the Islamists.

“As HTS takes on greater responsibilities, we will need to assess not just their words but also their actions,” said Anouni.

Germany to judge ‘on actions’

Germany noted that HTS has taken measures to plot a different course from its Al Qaida past.

“It has tried in recent months and years to distance itself from its militant origins and also to build up civil structures,” said foreign ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer.

Germany would be paying attention to how HTS “deals with civilians and, in particular, minorities in the area they now control”.

“Ultimately, HTS must be judged by its actions,” Fischer said.

‘Swift’ UK decision to come

Britain said it would decide “quickly” on whether to remove HTS from its list of terrorist organisations.

“If the situation stabilises, there’ll be a decision to make about how to deal with whatever new regime is in place there,” Pat McFadden, the UK’s national security minister told BBC Radio 4.

“I think it should be a relatively swift decision so it’s something that will have to be considered quite quickly, given the speed of the situation on the ground.”

McFadden told Sky News that the decision would “partly depend on… how that group behaves now”.

Turkey’s wants ‘peace, stability’

Turkey’s top diplomat called on the UN to help HTS and other Syrians establish “an inclusive administration”.

“We desire a Syria in which different ethnic and religious groups live in peace… a new Syria that will have good relations with its neighbours and will bring peace and stability to its region,” Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in a speech to ambassadors in the Turkish capital.

Russia trying ‘to get in touch’

Al Assad is reported to have fled to Russia, who had provided much of the military support to keep him in power.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was now “doing everything that is possible and necessary to get in touch with those who can provide security” in Syria, where Russia has strategically important army and naval bases.

UN demands ‘accountability’

The United Nations said that whoever ends up in power, they must hold the Al Assad regime to account for the crimes it committed against the Syrian people.

“Any political transition must ensure accountability for perpetrators of serious violations and guarantee that those responsible are held to account,” UN rights chief Volker Turk told reporters in Geneva.

主题测试文章,只做测试使用。发布者:duren0459@gmail.com,转转请注明出处:https://exploremenas.com/world-cautious-over-terrorist-hts-role-in-new-syria/

Like (0)
duren0459@gmail.com's avatarduren0459@gmail.com
Previous December 10, 2024 1:18 am
Next December 10, 2024 1:18 am

相关推荐

  • UAE condemns shooting incident in Oman

    Image Credit: WAM Abu Dhabi: The UAE has strongly condemned the shooting incident in a mosque courtyard in Wadi Kabir in the Sultanate of Oman, which led to deaths and injury to several innocent people, and expressed solidarity with all measures implemented by Oman to protect its security and stability. In a statement, the Ministry

    July 17, 2024
    500
  • Filipinos talk about experiences amid Saudi openness

    Jenelle and Rena (below) are impressed by cultural openness in Saudi Arabia. Image Credit: Source: Sabq Cairo: Rena, a Filipino, a long-time resident of Riyadh, and her friend Jenelle, a newcomer to Saudi Arabia, stress coexistence and cultural openness in the kingdom as part of recent sweeping changes. Rena has been living in Saudi Arabia

    October 27, 2024
    000
  • Iran probe finds Ebrahim Raisi helicopter mishap caused by weather

    Ebrahim Raisi Image Credit: Iranian Presidency / AFP Tehran: Iran’s investigation into the May helicopter crash that killed president Ebrahim Raisi has found it was caused by bad weather and overloading, Iranian media said Wednesday citing an official. The helicopter carrying 63-year-old Raisi and his entourage came down on a fog-shrouded mountainside in northern Iran

    August 21, 2024
    300
  • Aramco stops plans for chemical projects in Saudi Arabia

    This decision aligns with Aramco’s growing investments in Asia Image Credit: Reuters Dubai: Aramco abandons plans for a refinery and chemicals project in Saudi Arabia to concentrate on expanding in Asia, particularly in China. The planned facility in Ras Al Khair, which was set to process 400,000 barrels per day in partnership with Saudi Basic

    October 16, 2024
    100
  • Sri Lanka begins visa-free entry for Saudi citizens

    Saudi citizens will now be able to enter Sri Lanka without the need for pre-entry visas. Image Credit: Shutterstock Dubai: Starting Tuesday, Saudi citizens will be able to enter Sri Lanka without the need for pre-entry visas, following a historic decision by the Sri Lankan government. The move, effective from October 1, 2024, is expected

    October 1, 2024
    000

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

联系我们

400-800-8888

在线咨询: QQ交谈

邮件:admin@example.com

工作时间:周一至周五,9:30-18:30,节假日休息

关注微信
自6.2开始主题新增页头通知功能,购买用户可免费升级到最新版体验