The European Union has pledged €2.5 billion in aid to Syria despite recent atrocities against Christians by jihadists linked to the new government. Comprehensive international support and the EU’s eased sanctions have drawn criticism, raising concerns about potential complicity in human rights violations amid ongoing conflicts.
The European Union has committed €2.5 billion in aid for Syria amidst reports of a massacre of minorities, including thousands of Christians, carried out by militants tied to the new government. This pledge was made during the Ninth Brussels Conference on Syria, which concluded with a total commitment of €5.8 billion to assist the war-torn nation, enduring civil conflict since 2011.
Significant contributions accompanied the EU’s pledge, including €300 million from Germany and €190 million from the United Kingdom. While the annual conference is hosted by the EU and has been ongoing since 2017, this iteration was notable for not including Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which was ousted last year by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Instead, the EU welcomed Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, the foreign minister of the new government.
Despite the recognition of the new leadership, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas categorized Assad’s rule as a dictatorship, yet she refrained from condemning the heinous acts perpetrated by current authorities, stating, “it’s high time that all Syrians can live safely in peace.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed hopes for a Syria characterized by equal rights, urging for an absence of sectarian violence.
The EU has started to relax sanctions on Syria’s energy, transport, and financial sectors. However, critics argue that this reflects either naivety or an insincere approach from Brussels, which overlooks the atrocities committed by HTS fighters, including the documented execution of approximately 7,000 Christians and Alawites. Images shared on social media starkly illustrate these brutal acts.
The new Syrian government’s head, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has a history with ISIS and is linked to al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch. Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, the foreign minister, played a pivotal role in the transition from Al-Nusra Front to HTS, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by both the EU and the United Nations. Recently, a resolution endorsing the new government was passed by the European Parliament, failing to condemn the associated militias’ violent actions.
The EU’s pledging of substantial aid to Syria raises significant ethical concerns given the egregious human rights violations attributed to the current regime and allied militant factions. The contrasting international support indicated by monetary contributions suggests a complex interplay between humanitarian assistance and political realities, as the EU contemplates a future for Syria amidst ongoing violence and instability.
Original Source: europeanconservative.com
