Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, has called on Europe to stop recognizing Syria’s transitional authorities following reported mass killings of civilians. He criticized the international community for engaging with Syrian leaders associated with jihadist backgrounds, while the violence has led to over 1,000 deaths according to war monitors. Europe has recently eased sanctions to support reconstruction, raising further concerns about legitimizing the Syrian regime.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, has publicly urged European nations to cease recognizing Syria’s transitional authorities following the reported killing of hundreds of civilians. In an interview with Germany’s Bild newspaper, Saar emphasized the urgency for Europe to acknowledge the stark reality, stating, “It must wake up. It must stop granting legitimacy to a regime whose first actions… are these atrocities.”
The recent violence erupted reportedly on Thursday, involving clashes between Syria’s new security forces and supporters of the ousted government along the Mediterranean, notably in regions associated with the Alawite minority, including Latakia and Tartus. These confrontations have resulted in mass casualties, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting over 1,000 total deaths: 745 civilians, 125 security personnel, and 148 pro-Assad fighters.
Saar criticized the international community’s engagement with the new leadership in Syria, highlighting that meetings with figures such as Ahmed al-Sharaa, whom he claims are fundamentally connected to jihadist movements, are misguided. He insisted that even with a seemingly different facade, these leaders are still aligned with extremist ideologies. “This weekend, the masks came off, as men mercilessly massacred their own people,” he lamented.
Syria’s transitional government, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has sought to alleviate sanctions previously placed on Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which emerged after the civil conflict. The European Union recently decided to ease certain sanctions aimed at aiding Syria’s reconstruction efforts.
Amid these developments, Israel maintains a military presence in a UN-administered buffer zone since 1974 and has conducted multiple air strikes targeting Syrian military installations, emphasizing its ongoing strategic interests in the region.
In conclusion, Israel’s Foreign Minister urges European nations to reassess their recognition of Syria’s transitional government in light of recent violent events. The alarming death toll from clashes has raised concerns over the legitimacy of current Syrian leadership, which has historical ties to terrorism. As tensions persist, the international community’s actions will be pivotal in shaping the future of Syria and its relationship with global powers.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com