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The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with concern the ongoing developments in Syria which have once again highlighted the exploitation of innocent Syrians by proxy forces seeking to maintain the brutal suppression of the popular uprising against the Assad regime to further their own hegemonic objectives.

The collapse of support for the regime, in particular from Russia and, via its proxy Hezbollah, the Iranian theocracy, created an opportunity for the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to mount a rapid surge toward Damascus and for the toppling of Assad.

Sadly, it is the innocent citizens of Syria who are likely to suffer the most as they attempt to rebuild following decades of terror and oppression wrought by Assad and his allies which intensified following the 2019 uprising.

The DA offers our wholehearted support and encouragement to Geir O. Pedersen, the UN’s special envoy to Syria, as he seeks to find common ground and to facilitate an ongoing dialogue with all opposition forces in the country.

It is vital that this process be as inclusive as possible and involve a broad coalition of Syrians, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation, to prevent a further escalation into a broader civil war and to protect minority interests.

Furthermore we hope that in due course Assad’s alleged human rights abuses - including the reported use of chemical weapons against his own people - will be thoroughly investigated and at the appropriate time brought before the ICJ.

Issued by Emma Louise Powell MP - DA Spokesperson on International Relations & Cooperation