Rebel groups will be eliminated, HTS leader says – DW – 12/17/2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to visit Ankara, Turkey on Tuesday to discuss recent developments in Syria with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The talks will focus on national unity and security of minorities in the country.

The European Union last week announced plans to send about 100 tons of health supplies and other essential items to Turkey for distribution in Syria by UN aid agencies.

The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on Monday that an envoy was heading to Damascus to contact the new Syrian leadership.

The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was the main group behind the attack that led to the overthrow of Bashar Assad, is on the UN terror list and is subject to EU sanctions.

The leader of the group leading the ouster of Bashar Assad has vowed to ‘disintegrate’ Syria’s rebel groups.

In a meeting with members of the Druze community, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS), said the various groups that had joined hands to end Assad’s 24-year rule must be “disintegrated.” Will be given and fighters will be trained.” To join the ranks of the Defense Ministry.”

“All will be subject to the law,” he said, according to a post on the group’s Telegram channel late Monday.

Al-Golani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, wants to reassure domestic minorities and governments abroad that the country’s interim leader will protect the country’s entire population as well as its state institutions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he welcomed the Syrian caretaker government’s commitment to protect civilians, including humanitarian workers.

“I also welcome their agreement to provide full humanitarian access at all border crossings; cut bureaucracy on permits and visas for humanitarian workers; ensure the continuity of essential government services, including health and education; and engaging in practical dialogue with the humanitarian community,” Guterres said.

He called on the international community to unite in support of the Syrian people as they “seize the opportunity to build a better future.”

It comes after a meeting between UN aid chief Tom Fletcher and Syria’s new administration, which aimed to discuss increasing humanitarian aid in the country.

US-led efforts to secure forces in the Kurdish region of northern Syria have failed, a Kurdish militia said.

The Kurdish-led, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said this was due to Turkey’s refusal to accept key points in the talks.

“Despite US efforts to stop the war, Turkey and its mercenaries have continued to escalate their war on Kurdish areas in recent times,” the group said. At the same time, the group also accused Turkey of not taking the talks seriously.

Although the United States and Türkiye are both members of NATO, both are on opposite sides of this conflict through their proxies.

While the SDF is a key partner for the United States in the fight against the so-called “Islamic State” group in Syria, Turkey views the militia as an offshoot of the banned Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), treating it as a Classifies. Terrorist organization.

ftm/zc (Reuters, AFP, AP, dpa)