Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa took a bow at the United Nations this week. He used to fervently demand for lifting of all the sanctions that are imposed on the current Bashar al-Assad regime. These sanctions have greatly restricted Syria’s ability to recover from a decade of civil war. They are seen as a huge sticking point to opening relations with regional foes. Al-Sharaa’s address coincided with a backdrop of escalating military tensions, particularly following recent Israeli airstrikes targeting military positions across Syria.
At a press conference in Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani flanked by Jordanian and U.S. officials. He immediately began to demand relief from sanctions. He noted that the sanctions were not only punitive but had hindered the Syrian government’s efforts to address internal sectarian violence, which has surged since the fall of al-Assad’s regime. Al-Shibani insisted that any steps the US took to relieve these restrictions would be met with open arms by the Syrian people.
“The position of the United States, vis a vis Syria, since the day of liberation, is a very positive position, and it actually was met by great support among Syrian people, including the lifting of sanctions.” – Asaad al-Shibani
The situation in Syria has become increasingly complex, especially following Israel’s military response to the power vacuum created by the collapse of al-Assad’s dictatorship. Israel has repeatedly performed airstrikes in order to prevent the transit of chemical weapons and long-range missiles to violent extremists. They moved quickly to defend their own national security interests. This was a major new escalation. For the first time in 50 years, Israel sent ground troops into and beyond a demilitarized buffer zone.
Al-Shibani reported that secret Israel-Syria talks were underway. Though the fighting continues, this could open space for a new security agreement. Still, he admitted that recent Israeli strikes have made moves towards normalization more difficult between the two countries.
“So, to talk about normalization and the Abraham Accords is a bit difficult.” – Asaad al-Shibani
Al-Shibani claimed that Syria is not a threat to its neighbors, especially Israel. He condemned Israel’s military response. He called them sociopathic countermeasures, meant to punish Syria for their new policies of cooperation and peace.
“We are no threat to anyone in the region, including Israel, but these new policies of cooperation and peace were met by these threats and strikes.” – Asaad al-Shibani
The Syrian government under Al-Sharaa still would have had to deal with a perfect storm of external pressure and internal division. Sectarian violence is another pressing concern as Sunni, Shiite, and Kurdish forces battle each other out for dominance with lacking governmental authority. Al-Shibani to foreign interventions efforts, which he said have deepened these issues.
“It supported outlaws – outlaw groups – and this obstructed and hindered the Syrian government from solving the problem between the Bedouins and the Druze.” – Asaad al-Shibani