Syrië

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Rode Kruis wil vijf miljoen Syriërs helpen met terugkeer naar gewoonde gebieden

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The Red Cross has set an ambitious goal to assist at least five million Syrians in the coming years who are returning to their home areas, either from abroad or within the country. This significant operation requires a budget of 130 million euros, given the extensive destruction both of homes and the country’s infrastructure.

"Syrians will rebuild their homes, but our focus is on creating the necessary conditions," explains Derk Segaar, Head of International Aid at the Red Cross. "We expect the funds to support people for three to five years, providing essential assistance such as food, shelter, medical care, and water supply."

The Red Cross aims to provide psychosocial support alongside these core needs. In December, rebels seized the majority of the country, forcing President Assad to flee to Russia. After thirteen years of civil war, many Syrians face immense challenges in restarting their lives, particularly those who were displaced and are now returning to a country they barely recognize.

Currently, the Syrian Red Crescent Moon is one of the largest aid organizations operating in Syria. With around 9000 volunteers and hundreds of paid staff, they play a crucial role in delivering mobile clinics to areas with destroyed hospitals, and providing essential information, such as warning people about the dangers of unexploded ordnance.

The number of Syrians who have returned from abroad is not yet clear. However, it was announced on December 24th that approximately 25,000 Syrians had returned to their homeland from Turkey. Since the conflict began, an estimated six million Syrians have fled to neighboring countries, with the majority seeking refuge in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq.

As Syrians commence their journey back home, the Red Cross is committed to supporting them through this challenging transition period.

Syria Appoints First Female Central Bank Governor Amid Economic Woes

The newly minted leaders of Syria have made history by appointing Maysaa Sabrine as the interim chairwoman of the Central Bank of Syria, making her the first woman to hold the position in its 70-year history. Having served as the vice chair since 2018, Sabrine’s ascent comes after successor Mohammed Issam Hazime was appointed by dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2021.

With over 15 years of experience in the banking sector, Sabrine’s appointment marks another significant moment for women in Syria’s new leadership. Last week, Aisha al-Dibs was appointed head of the Bureau of Women‘s Affairs, signaling a shift towards gender representation. However, Sabrine’s views on women’s rights have drawn criticism. She previously stated that women should not "transcend the priorities of their nature given by God," emphasizing child-rearing duties. Syria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs subsequently defended the government’s stance on women’s rights via Twitter.

Syria’s economy has been in a dire state since the onset of its civil war in 2011. According to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the militia that ousted Assad’s regime, the country’s treasury is empty, with foreign currency reserves plummeting from $18 billion to a mere $200 million since the conflict began. The militia claims that the central bank still possesses nearly 26 tons of gold but has not fully detailed its plans for economic recovery.

The Syrian pound has experienced a significant decline since the war began. In 2011, one US dollar was worth approximately 50 Syrian pounds; today, it stands between 12,000 and 15,000 pounds. Since HTS seized power, the central bank has implemented measures to liberalize the economy, including abolishing state approval for goods imports and exports.

Mideast Editor Eliane Lamper’s Take

With Sabrine’s appointment, HTS demonstrates its commitment to inclusivity, a departure from its hardline past. The group has previously pledged to protect the rights of women and minorities, but skepticism persists due to its extremist roots. Only time will tell how these promises will manifest.

The central bank appointment solidifies the new political landscape in Syria, following last week’s female ministerial appointment. While not entirely unexpected, a distinguished career banker at the helm of the central bank marks a notable stride for both gender equality and Syria’s economic reformation efforts.

Thousands of Women Take to Syrian Streets to Protest Islamist Rules, Fearing Loss of Hard-Won Rights

In the northern regions of Syria, thousands of women have converged on city streets, raising their voices in unison to demand that the ruling transitional government uphold and safeguard their rights. These demonstrations, organized in the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s ouster and the ascension of Islamist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have been prompted by fears that the newly established authorities may roll back the rights and freedoms that women have gained over the years.

"Women must not be excluded from rights in this system," asserted a female activist at the protest, speaking to Reuters. The demonstration in Qamishli, a predominantly Kurdish city, saw participants brandishing green flags of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), an affiliate of the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG).

Led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, HTS currently controls significant areas in northern Syria following its displacement of the Assad regime in early December. The group’s spokesman previously claimed that women are unfit for certain public offices due to their "biological and physiological nature." However, in an interview with the BBC, Sharaa expressed his support for women’s university education, though he refrained from delving into the specifics of women’s rights.

The protesters also called upon HTS to condemn Turkey‘s military operations in northern Syria. Many demonstrators carried flags of the YPJ and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have been at the forefront of the fight against the Islamic State (IS) and continue to guard detention camps housing IS fighters.

Turkey views the SDF, particularly its Kurdish YPG component, as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a Kurdish autonomy-seeking group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States. As a result, the Turkish military and Turkey-backed militias have launched a series of attacks on SDF-held cities and military targets in northern Syria in recent weeks.

On Monday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister demanded that the HTS-led rebels dismantle Kurdish militias in Syria during a joint press conference with Sharaa. As the situation unfolds, Syrian women remain resolute in their determination to safeguard their hard-won rights amidst the shifting geopolitical landscape.

Turkish Defense Ministry Vows to Continue Anti-Terrorism Measures, Cooperates with New Syrian Administration

The Turkish Ministry of Defense has declared that the country’s armed forces will continue to take preventative and destructive measures against terrorist organizations, while also pledging cooperation with Syria‘s new administration in the fight against terrorism.

During a weekly press briefing held on Thursday at the ministry, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, advisor for press and public relations, stated that Turkish armed forces are continuously conducting operations against various threats, especially those posed by terrorist groups such as the PKK/PYD-YPG, Daesh, and FETO.

Aktürk reported that 41 terrorists were neutralized last week, bringing the total to 2,959 since January 1, 2023. Among them, 1,438 were neutralized in northern Iraq, and 1,521 in northern Syria. Additionally, three PKK terrorists surrendered to border posts last week after fleeing their hideouts.

Condemning Israel‘s decision to expand illegal settlements on the Golan Heights, Aktürk criticized Israel for disregarding international law in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as its continued occupation of Syrian territory. He called for an immediate ceasefire and regional stability, emphasizing that Israel’s killing of women and children in Gaza must not be overlooked.

Regarding the situation in Syria, Aktürk stressed that Turkey supports Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and prioritizes the elimination of the PKK/YPG threat. He reiterated that Turkey will cooperate with the new Syrian administration in combating terrorism and expressed confidence that the Syrian National Army would liberate territories occupied by PKK/YPG terrorists.

Denouncing recent statements from the U.S. Department of State referring to an alleged ceasefire agreement between Turkey and the PKK/YPG, Aktürk dismissed such claims, stating, "We do not negotiate with any terrorist organization."

Turkish forces will continue their anti-terrorism measures until the PKK/YPG is disarmed and its foreign fighters leave Syria.