Turkey Pressures EU to Lift Sanctions on Syria Despite Alawite Massacre
The European Union on Monday will host the ninth international conference in support of Syria.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkey announced on Sunday that it will renew its call for the European Union to lift sanctions on Syria "unconditionally and indefinitely" during the annual donors' conference set to take place on Monday in Brussels.
Ankara, a key ally of Syria’s new authorities since they took power on December 8, has emphasized that ending sanctions is essential to supporting a "comprehensive and peaceful transition" in the war-torn country. The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that "Syria’s economic security is crucial for its stability and security."
The statement stressed the need to create "economic opportunities and jobs" for Syrians, urging a "comprehensive reconstruction" effort to facilitate the return of refugees. Turkey continues to host approximately three million Syrian refugees.
The European Union on Monday will host the ninth international conference in support of Syria. For the first time, representatives of Syria’s government – the new interim authorities – have been invited to attend.
The event aims to raise international support for Syria’s transition and recovery after more than 13 years of civil war.
European Concerns Over Escalating Violence
Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz will represent Turkey at the conference, amid ongoing discussions following the EU’s suspension of key economic sanctions on Syria after the transitional authorities assumed power.
On January 29, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa pledged to issue a "constitutional declaration" for the transition period, establish a "preparatory committee to select a mini-legislative council," and dissolve the existing parliament.
However, a recent surge in violence, particularly in northwestern Syria, has prompted the EU to threaten reinstating sanctions if the new government fails to uphold commitments to protecting minority rights and ensuring their inclusion in the constitutional declaration.
Rising Violence in Syria’s Coastal Region
The province of Latakia witnessed mass executions of civilians, mostly from the Alawite minority, following attacks by loyalists of ousted president Bashar al-Assad on security forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
The UK-based Observatory reported that the recent wave of violence has claimed over 1,500 lives within a few days, further escalating sectarian tensions and complicating the transitional government’s efforts to restore stability and assert its authority across the country.
