As the brand new Damascus authorities try to revive their nation and its diplomatic hyperlinks, they perceive that Moscow is crucial to this effort
Syria’s interim authorities faces quite a few challenges because it units about rebuilding the nation following the downfall of Bashar Assad on December 8. Led by Ahmad As-Sharaa, the brand new management is striving for nationwide reconciliation whereas concurrently confronting ongoing instability.
The international minister of the interim authorities, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, has stated that “the enjoyment of the folks will stay incomplete” till Syria’s territorial integrity is absolutely restored and displaced individuals and refugees return to their homeland. In accordance with the United Nations, greater than 115,000 folks have returned to Syria because the fall of Assad. Nonetheless, a major variety of Syrians stay outdoors the nation.
On the worldwide stage, the interim authorities is taking steps to determine relations with varied nations, together with a current ministerial assembly in Saudi Arabia with representatives of each Western and Center Japanese nations, in addition to Al-Shaibani’s tour of a number of neighboring nations. Conferences between Syrian and Russian representatives have additionally taken place in each Damascus and Moscow.
Inside Syria, discussions proceed relating to the nation’s future political construction. Hadi al-Bahra, the chief of the Syrian opposition in exile, said that the revolution just isn’t but full regardless of Assad’s fall and should proceed till justice, freedom, and democracy are absolutely achieved. He underscored the necessity for an inclusive transition course of involving all factions, together with the drafting of a brand new structure, to be adopted by a referendum and elections.
These developments spotlight the complexity of the challenges going through Syria’s interim authorities because it seeks to reconcile totally different factions and rebuild the nation amidst ongoing instability.
Home coverage for nationwide reconciliation
Regardless of their uncertainty relating to the long run, Syria’s present leaders seem dedicated to preserving state establishments and stopping the chaos that accompanied related transitions in Iraq and Libya.
Over the previous month, the federal government has taken vital steps to normalize life within the nation. Important public providers have been restored, safety has been ensured in main cities, and sure restrictions imposed by the earlier authorities have been lifted. The brand new administration has demonstrated a willingness to compromise and keep away from radical modifications to the state’s political and social construction, together with by sustaining the present secular system of governance all through the transitional interval. Nonetheless, society stays deeply divided, and the federal government faces a spread of urgent points.
One of many major challenges of inside coverage stays the preservation of legislation and order within the nation. The federal government should function in an surroundings of ongoing localized conflicts between varied ethnic and spiritual teams whereas concurrently coping with remnants of the previous regime. Incidents of violence proceed to be reported in Homs and different central areas, together with assaults on Alawite communities, which had largely supported Assad’s rule. The authorities are striving to forestall these incidents from escalating into full-scale conflicts, but tensions stay excessive.
Managing relations with non secular and ethnic minorities is one other key space requiring cautious consideration. Christians, Druze, and Kurds have expressed cautious optimism towards the brand new authorities however have demanded clear security ensures. The appointment of Druze activist Mohsena al-Maitawi as governor of Suwayda province signaled an effort to combine minorities into governance. Nonetheless, issues persist that the Druze and Kurds could not obtain enough political illustration in Syria’s future political framework. Moreover, negotiations have begun between the transitional authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) relating to the peaceable integration of Kurdish navy models underneath the Ministry of Protection. Whereas such integration might improve stability, it additionally dangers scary opposition from Turkey.
One other main problem in inside coverage is the restoration of the economic system and social sector. The federal government urgently must restructure the state administration, together with by overhauling personnel in any respect ranges. Whereas the interim administration has introduced plans to reform the bureaucratic system, it nonetheless grapples with the entrenched corruption and inefficiencies inherited from the earlier one. Moreover, there’s a vital scarcity of expert professionals, notably in center and senior administration positions, as a big portion of the educated inhabitants has both left the nation or stays reluctant to collaborate with the brand new authorities.
Controlling armed factions is one other essential facet of inside coverage. The transitional authorities goals to determine a unified nationwide military, but in actuality, quite a few armed teams proceed to function independently, usually influenced by international sponsors. Managing these factions stays a fragile activity, as the federal government should navigate between competing forces to forestall a resurgence of violence.
The success of those efforts will depend upon the federal government’s skill to have interaction in a constructive dialogue with varied teams and keep a fragile steadiness between competing political and societal pursuits.
Worldwide engagement of Syria’s new management
The interim authorities of Syria is striving to determine a dialogue with regional and world powers as a way to safe their assist in rebuilding the nation.
On January 12, a world assembly on the ministerial degree was held in Riyadh, specializing in the reconstruction of Syria’s infrastructure, economic system, and social sector. Contributors mentioned the creation of situations for the secure return of Syrian refugees, countering extremist threats, and strengthening regional safety. Particular consideration was given to the necessity to uphold Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, together with discussions on Israeli incursions into the buffer zone on Mount Hermon and in Quneitra province. The assembly was attended by representatives from Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, the Gulf States, in addition to the US, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and worldwide organizations such because the EU, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the United Nations.
A serious matter on the agenda was worldwide sanctions towards Syria. Saudi Arabia known as for his or her removing to speed up the nation’s restoration. Saudi Overseas Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah emphasised that continued sanctions hinder Syria’s growth and reconstruction. On the similar time, German Overseas Minister Annalena Baerbock confused the necessity to keep sanctions towards people linked to the earlier regime whereas advocating for an inexpensive reassessment of restrictions to facilitate humanitarian support. Germany has additionally allotted a further €50 million for meals provides, emergency shelters, and medical help.
Interim Overseas Minister Al-Shaibani visited Doha, the place he met along with his Qatari counterpart and the Prime Minister of Qatar to debate strengthening bilateral ties and securing financial assist for Syria’s reconstruction. Previous to that, Al-Shaibani additionally visited Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates in an effort to achieve the backing of regional companions.
On the worldwide stage, the interim authorities is looking for to revive ties with Western nations. In a major diplomatic gesture, France raised its flag over its embassy in Damascus for the primary time in 12 years, marking the renewal of diplomatic contacts. The chief of the Islamist motion Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS), Ahmed al-Sharaa, known as for the lifting of sanctions to facilitate Syria’s reconstruction and the return of refugees, emphasizing the significance of building a state ruled by legislation and establishments. Germany has introduced plans to carry talks on Syria’s transitional course of and minority rights safety. Turkey, in flip, has urged the formation of an inclusive administration and requested EU assist in managing the return of refugees.
One of many key points of the interim authorities’s international coverage is engagement with Russia. A January 28 go to to Damascus by a Russian delegation led by Deputy Overseas Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Kremlin Particular Envoy for Syria Aleksandr Lavrentyev highlighted ongoing discussions on bilateral cooperation and the way forward for Russian navy bases in Syria. The brand new Syrian management confused the necessity to acknowledge “previous errors” and emphasised the significance of reparations and reconstruction to rebuild belief between the 2 nations. Russia expressed its willingness to supply important help in Syria’s post-crisis restoration, reaffirming its assist for the nation’s unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. That assembly was adopted up in Moscow, with talks between Bogdanov and the Syrian ambassador, initiated by the Syrian aspect.
These diplomatic efforts underscore the brand new Syrian management’s dedication to have interaction in dialogue with regional and world powers, safe worldwide assist for the nation’s reconstruction, and guarantee stability within the post-conflict interval.
Why is it necessary for Damascus to take care of relations with Moscow?
Amid a posh geopolitical panorama, Syria’s new authorities acknowledges the need of growing sturdy relations with Russia. Regardless of stress and blackmail from the West, Syrian authorities perceive {that a} partnership with Moscow will be mutually useful and have acknowledged Russia’s historic function as Syria’s ally.
One of many key points mentioned on the current assembly in Damascus was the way forward for the Russian navy bases in Tartus and Hmeimim. This matter stays unresolved, and either side have agreed to proceed in-depth consultations. Bogdanov famous that Moscow is open to additional dialogue, each in Syria and Russia, expressing a readiness to host the Syrian Overseas Minister in Moscow for additional discussions.
An official assertion from Syria’s new authorities emphasised that the events mentioned mechanisms of transitional justice and measures to make sure justice for victims of the Syrian civil conflict. Damascus confused that restoring relations requires correcting previous errors, respecting the desire of the Syrian folks, and serving their pursuits.
Nonetheless, negotiations are sophisticated by Western stress. The EU has intensified efforts to determine contacts with Syria’s new authorities, providing sanctions aid in trade for distancing themselves from Russia. The international ministers of Germany and France lately visited Damascus, and EU Excessive Consultant for Overseas Affairs Kaja Kallas introduced that European ministers have agreed on a roadmap for relieving sanctions. Moreover, the G7 nations are exploring other ways to provide Syria with oil and meals, aiming to cut back its dependence on Russian exports.
Regardless of Western stress, Syria’s management understands that cooperation with Russia might play an important function within the nation’s restoration. Moscow, in flip, can provide Damascus meals safety, help in rebuilding its military, and the modernization of its navy capabilities, which had been considerably weakened through the battle. With Western diplomacy changing into extra lively, Syrian authorities should fastidiously navigate between competing geopolitical pursuits to safeguard nationwide pursuits and keep the nation’s independence.
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