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The European Union just isn’t at the moment holding talks with the rebels in Syria, who’ve liberated Damascus and overthrown the regime of Bashar al-Assad, European Fee spokesman Anouar El Anouni stated on Monday. He recalled that the Islamist group HTS and its chief are topic to EU sanctions.
The rebels liable for liberating Damascus and overthrowing Assad are led by the group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate. It’s led by former al-Qaeda fighter Abu Muhammad al-Julani.
EU leaders expressed satisfaction on Sunday with the autumn of the Syrian regime. EC President Ursula von der Leyen described it as a “historic change” that “creates new alternatives however just isn’t with out dangers.”
EC spokesperson Paula Pinho stated on Monday that the potential of restoring democracy opens up for Syria, however the change additionally comes with many challenges. She emphasised that the EC will watch the state of affairs develop, particularly how HTS, a company “thought of terrorist,” will deal with minorities and whether or not the transformation will probably be an inclusive course of resulting in the institution of a democratic state.
One other EC spokesman, Anouar El Anouni, added that the EU just isn’t involved with HTS, which is topic to EU sanctions. Nevertheless, he didn’t wish to disclose the channels by means of which the EC maintains contact with Syria. He additionally stated that it’s too early to find out whether or not the EU will raise sanctions imposed on HTS. “In the event that they tackle larger duty, we are going to then consider not solely their phrases but in addition actions,” he added.
El Anouni didn’t rule out that the overthrow of Assad’s regime might allow the return of Syrian refugees residing within the EU to their nation sooner or later. “Syrians and the Syrian diaspora dream of returning. The choice about whether or not to return or not will belong to every refugee. At this second, in response to the evaluation of UNHCR, we nonetheless imagine that the circumstances for a secure return are usually not met,” he stated.
In a press release issued on Monday, EU international coverage chief Kaja Kallas referred to as on “all actors to keep away from additional violence, guarantee safety for civilians and respect worldwide regulation, together with worldwide humanitarian regulation.”
“Specifically, we name for the safety of members of all minorities, together with Christian denominations and different non-majority faiths, in addition to to make sure the safety of foreigners and the respect of diplomatic representations in Damascus. We additionally name on all events to guard Syria’s wealthy cultural heritage and spiritual monuments,” Kallas burdened. (09.12.2024)
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