Qatar’s Prime Minister has urged Israel to withdraw forces from the UN buffer zone in Syria, criticizing their military actions as reckless. He pledged Qatar’s support for Syria’s rehabilitation post-conflict and called for lifting sanctions. The situation is influenced by complex regional dynamics, with ongoing discussions about humanitarian support and rebuilding efforts.
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, has publicly called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from the United Nations-established buffer zone with Syria. This demand arose following Israel’s military presence in the area after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. During a press conference in Damascus with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Sheikh Mohammed criticized Israel’s actions near the Golan Heights.
Sheikh Mohammed condemned the Israeli occupation as a reckless act and insisted on its immediate retraction. Israel deployed military units to the buffer zone last month and executed numerous airstrikes throughout Syria, claiming these measures were essential to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of extremists, a term Israel has applied broadly to various groups in the region including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
At the conference, al-Sharaa expressed Syria’s willingness to accept UN forces into the buffer zone. He attributed Israel’s advances in the region to the presence of Iranian militias and Hezbollah while asserting that their influence had diminished following the liberation of Damascus. Al-Sharaa insisted that Israel is using pretexts to justify its actions in Syria.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized Qatar’s significant role in advocating for Israel’s withdrawal from the buffer zone, working in conjunction with Western nations and the United States. He also pledged to support Syria’s new administration and assist in the reconstruction of infrastructure devastated by over 14 years of conflict, including providing technical aid to the electricity sector.
Furthermore, Sheikh Mohammed advocated for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria, stating that they hinder necessary support for the Syrian population. Sanctions were implemented by the United States and the European Union due to the regime’s alleged war crimes since the conflict’s inception in 2011. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has recently issued a temporary license permitting certain transactions with the Syrian government to alleviate humanitarian impacts.
The EU is also set to convene in late January to discuss the potential lifting of sanctions.
The situation in Syria has been complex, particularly following the civil war that began in 2011. The removal of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad led to power vacuums and new military engagements in the region. Israeli military operations have increased in response to perceived threats from militias and opposition groups, which have escalated tensions in the buffer zone established by the 1974 UN ceasefire agreement. Both Qatar and other international actors are now advocating for changes to the enforcement of sanctions to enable better humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation efforts in Syria.
In conclusion, Qatar’s Prime Minister has called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the UN-designated buffer zone in Syria, citing the reckless nature of Israel’s military occupation. He also committed Qatar to aiding Syria’s reconstruction and called for the lifting of sanctions that complicate humanitarian efforts. The broader context reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and the enduring struggle for stability and sovereignty in Syria.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
