Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, urges Europe to recognize the reality in Syria as violence escalates, leading to significant civilian casualties. He condemns the legitimacy granted to Syria’s transitional authorities while asserting that the international community must alter its approach. Recent clashes have resulted in over 1,000 deaths, attracting international attention and calls for reevaluation of sanctions and military presence in the region.
Recently, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, called on European nations to cease legitimizing the transitional authorities in Syria amid escalating violence that has resulted in significant civilian deaths. In an interview with Germany’s Bild, he emphasized the need for Europe to recognize the troubling reality in Syria, stating, “Europe must not fail in reading the reality. It must wake up.”
Saar’s comments came in light of clashes that erupted between Syria’s new security forces and loyalists to the former regime of Bashar al-Assad. These confrontations have reportedly led to mass killings, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicating that 745 Alawite civilians lost their lives in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus. The overall death toll has reached 1,018, including 125 security forces and 148 pro-Assad fighters.
The Foreign Minister argued that recent interactions between the international community and Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa failed to address the underlying issues. He pointed out that despite appearances, the new leaders still embody jihadist ideologies. “However and his men were jihadists and remain jihadists, even if they now wear suits,” Saar remarked.
Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, known for its roots in Al-Qaeda, is still designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States. Despite this, the new Syrian leaders are advocating for the easing of sanctions, which the European Union partially did last month to assist Syria’s reconstruction efforts. Israel remains vigilant, having increased its military presence in the Golan Heights and conducted airstrikes against Syrian military targets recently.
In conclusion, the recent pleas from Israel’s Foreign Minister highlight the urgency for Europe to reassess its approach towards Syria amidst rising violence and humanitarian crises. The international community’s engagement with Syria’s transitional authorities, according to Saar, risks overlooking the fundamental issues rooted in the country’s governance. The ongoing conflict has resulted in substantial casualties, underscoring the severe implications for regional stability and security.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
