Egypt Daily News – Following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, countries began courting the Syrian armed opposition as a potential ally or an imposed reality. European powers such as Germany and France have decided to reserve a space for themselves at the round table for the new Syria.
A statement issued by the German government said that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron decided to extend a helping hand to the Syrian opposition after a phone call between them, in which they confirmed their readiness to work with the new rulers “on a basis that guarantees human rights and the protection of ethnic and religious minorities.”
Earlier on Monday, the European Commission said that it needed to evaluate the behavior of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, the largest Syrian opposition faction, before extending a hand of cooperation to it, noting that it was not currently communicating with it, and that it would be necessary to see a change in its behavior before considering being removed from the sanctions list.
Several countries are seeking to build relations with the Syrian opposition, turning a blind eye to the sanctions imposed on Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, due to its alliance with Al-Qaeda, and its classification as a terrorist organization by the United States of America, the European Union, Turkey, and the United Nations, in the hope that the group has “changed its style and vision.” “.
The “courtship” of the opposition was not limited to the countries hostile to Assad, but rather included the most prominent countries allied with him. The “revolution” flag was raised on the Syrian embassy building in Moscow, in a move that was condemned by some.
The United Nations envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, said that the international community may reconsider the classification of “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham” as a terrorist organization.
Pedersen explained that nine years have passed since the organization was included on the list of terrorist groups, noting that it continues to send positive and reassuring messages to other parties.
Pedersen stressed the importance of involving all ethnic groups and Syrian parties in the political solution, warning that the absence of this involvement may lead to the escalation of conflicts again.
