Kaja Kallas urges 'no revenge' in Syria's transition of power

The ongoing transition of power in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad should not descend into “revenge” and “retaliation” between opposing factions, Kaja Kallas has urged as she called for the protection of minorities and freedom of religion.

“This is a big worry because we know in Syria there are so many different groups,” Kallas said on Tuesday evening as she addressed a special session of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee.

“The coming weeks are definitely crucial to see if this goes in the right direction.”

In her first on-camera remarks since the extraordinary events of the weekend, Kallas praised the Syrian people for their “historic achievement” and predicted the transition would present “huge challenges” for the war-torn nation and the entire Middle East.

In particular, the High Representative, who took office earlier this month, pointed the finger at persistent risks of sectarian violence, extremism, radicalisation, “weaponisation of religion” and terrorism, “all of which must be averted.”

“We must avoid a repeat of the horrific scenarios of Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan,” she said.

“Secondly, the rights of all Syrians, including those of many minority groups, must be protected. And thirdly, it is crucial to preserve the territorial integrity of Syria and to respect its independence, its sovereignty, as well as the state institutions,” she added.

Regarding engagement with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel force that led the offensive that toppled al-Assad’s dictatorial regime and has positioned itself as a leading actor in the new political era, Kallas walked a tightrope but admitted some progress.

HTS, whose name means “Organisation for the Liberation of the Levant”, is an Islamist militant group that previously declared its allegiance to al-Qaeda before breaking ties in 2016. As a result, the UN and the EU listed HTS as a proscribed terrorist organisation.

While HTS and its leader, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, have tried to gain legitimacy by embracing pluralism and appointing a provisional prime minister, they remain plagued by accusations of human rights abuses, including alleged executions for blasphemy and adultery carried out under a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

Mindful of the delicate balance, Kallas said HTS would be judged “not by their words but by their deeds” and cautioned it was “too early” to issue a verdict.

“The first signals are good but we’re not rushing into any kind of arrangement if we don’t have certainty,” Kallas told MEPs. “It is important that we keep close contacts with the regional actors and all the international actors to help Syria build a normal life.”

Due to the terrorist designation, EU officials cannot have direct contact with HTS representatives. The United States, for example, is relying on Turkey to pass on messages about its Syria policy. Kallas did not clarify if she was doing the same.

In recent days, Kallas has been in touch with her counterparts in Morocco, Lebanon, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, among others.

Another question posed by MEPs that remained unanswered is whether the EU would conduct a rapid review of the multiple sanctions it had imposed against Assad’s regime, which include restrictions on weapons, oil, technology and financial transactions.

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Barry Andrews, a liberal lawmaker, suggested the exemption under the sanctions that enables flows of humanitarian aid should be expanded as a first step.

During the hour-long session, the High Representative insisted it was “in the interest of everybody,” including the EU and the Arab League, that Syria prospers in the post-Assad era and does not fall into another civil war or refugee crisis.