Russia Critiques Syria’s Leadership Amid Sectarian Violence in Closed UN Meeting
Russia criticized Syria’s new leaders in a private UN meeting, equating sectarian killings of Alawites to the Rwandan genocide. Following recent violence against Alawites, the Kremlin’s criticisms reflect its concerns over jihadist groups gaining ground in Syria, while maintaining its military interests. The interim Syrian government aims to promote inclusivity despite criticisms regarding the exclusion of minority populations from governance.
Russia has recently expressed severe criticism of Syria’s new leadership during a closed United Nations briefing. This criticism centered around concerns regarding the increasing influence of jihadist groups and drew chilling parallels between the ongoing sectarian violence against Alawites and the Rwandan genocide. Despite the establishment of two vital military bases in coastal Syria, Moscow has publicly condemned the government’s failures amidst escalating violence against minority groups.
The turmoil began with an attack on March 6 by forces loyal to the ousted Bashar al-Assad, igniting a wave of retaliatory killings against Alawites across multiple provinces. The Kremlin previously supported Assad but has since emphasized the need for unity in Syria while privately expressing deep concerns about the country’s direction in closed Security Council discussions.
Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia’s remarks highlighted the ruthlessness of the violence, claiming, “no one” had intervened to halt the massacre in Syria. When probed about the comparison to Rwanda, he emphasized the confidentiality of the discussions. Anna Borshchevskaya from the Washington Institute noted that Russia’s private criticisms serve strategic interests as they seek to maintain influence without alienating the new regime.
Nebenzia also criticized the new leaders for dissolving the Syrian army and significantly cutting the public workforce, suggesting such actions could lead to an “Iraq scenario” characterized by sectarian conflicts. Following Assad’s ousting, Syria’s new Islamists have incorporated foreign fighters, raising concerns about their impact on internal stability.
In an interview, Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa aimed to quell fears of a sectarian rift, suggesting future governmental inclusivity for Alawites. In the Security Council briefing, Russia emphasized that the actions of the new leadership have laid a “corrupt foundation” for governance, expressing unease over foreign militants’ roles in the recent atrocities.
As the UN Security Council drafts a statement addressing the violence, it aims to express concern regarding escalating sectarian tensions and advocate for the protection of all Syrian citizens, regardless of ethnic or religious backgrounds. The international response to Syria’s political transition will considerably influence future engagements with the country.
The closed briefing led by Russia at the UN exposed the Kremlin’s stark concerns regarding the current Islamist regime in Syria and the atrocities committed against sectarian minorities, particularly Alawites. The comparison to Rwanda’s genocide underlined the gravity of the situation, as does the risk of exacerbating sectarian violence reminiscent of Iraq post-Saddam. The interim Syrian government’s leadership seeks to foster inclusive governance, yet international observers remain wary of the influence of foreign fighters and the government’s ability to unite a diverse populace. Moving forward, the UN Security Council’s actions will hinge significantly on fostering inclusivity in Syria’s political transition and ensuring protection for all communities.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
