😟 Syria

• Violence in Syria: The UK is alarmed by recent violence in Syria that has resulted in civilian deaths, particularly in coastal areas. The government is working to understand the situation and identify those responsible.

• Interim Government and Transition: Since the fall of Assad, the UK has been supporting a Syrian-led political transition. The interim authorities in Damascus have been urged to promote stability and protect all Syrians, including setting out a path to transitional justice.

• Humanitarian Assistance: The UK has committed over £62 million in aid to Syria since December, targeting vulnerable populations inside the country and across the region. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with over 16 million people needing assistance.

• Sanctions and Economic Support: The UK has eased sanctions on 24 entities linked to the former Assad regime to support economic recovery and humanitarian activities. However, the government emphasizes that sanctions are kept under review and targeted at those responsible for repression and human rights abuses.

• Security and Chemical Weapons: The UK is focused on preventing conflict escalation, countering terrorism, and ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles. There is engagement with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to verify the destruction of these weapons.

• Diplomatic Engagement: The UK is in regular contact with the interim Syrian authorities and has been discussing the situation with regional partners like Turkey. The government continues to push for an inclusive political process that represents all of Syria’s diverse communities.

• Concerns for Minorities: There is particular concern for religious and ethnic minorities, such as Alawites and Christians, who have faced recent violence. The UK calls for the protection of these minorities and condemns any sectarian attacks.

• International Cooperation: The UK is working with international partners, including at an upcoming pledging conference in Brussels, to coordinate aid and support for Syria’s transition.

• Call for Action and Accountability: There is a strong call for the interim Syrian authorities to take concrete steps to ensure peace and justice, including holding those responsible for recent violence accountable and establishing a clear timeline for further political transition.

The parliamentary session on Syria, as seen in the transcript, exhibits a moderate level of disagreement, primarily revolving around policy implementation and the recent events’ implications. Despite the overarching consensus on the need for stability, peace, and support for the Syrian people, there are notable instances of contention and queries that suggest a level of disagreement on how to achieve these goals. Here’s a detailed analysis of the disagreements observed in the session:

1. Delay in Government Response:
   • Priti Patel (Con) expressed disappointment over the delay in the Government’s statement on Syria, indicating a disagreement with the timing of the Government’s communications. This suggests a concern about the urgency and proactivity of the Government’s actions.
2. Sanctions Policy:
   • There were significant questions and implied disagreement about the Government’s decision to lift sanctions on 24 entities. Priti Patel specifically questioned whether the recent violence should alter the Government’s approach to sanctions, showing a critical stance on the timing and the rationale behind the policy change.
3. Engagement with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS):
   • Questions about the UK’s engagement with HTS and the clarity of communication regarding the recent violence indicate a disagreement or skepticism about the diplomatic strategy employed by the Government. Priti Patel’s inquiry into whether the UK has directly engaged with HTS leaders hints at varied opinions on how to handle such groups.
4. Diplomatic Presence and Actions in Syria:
   • Emily Thornberry (Lab) raised concerns about the lack of a UK embassy in Syria and the limited visits by the UK’s special representative, suggesting a disagreement over the level of direct engagement and on-the-ground presence the UK should have.
5. Humanitarian Aid and Budget Cuts:
   • Monica Harding (LD) and Ellie Chowns (Green) raised questions about the impact of UK aid cuts on Syria, showing disagreement on how the UK’s financial commitments might affect support for Syria’s economic development and humanitarian needs.
6. Protection of Minorities:
   • There was a strong call from various MPs, such as Sir Edward Leigh (Con) and Jim Shannon (DUP), for better protection and representation of minorities in Syria, indicating dissatisfaction with the current approach by the interim Syrian Government.
7. Regional Security and Foreign Troops:
   • Jeremy Corbyn (Ind) and others questioned the Government’s stance on the presence of foreign troops in Syria, suggesting a disagreement on how to handle international military involvement.

While there were clear criticisms and points of contention regarding specific policies and their implementation, the overarching agreement on the need for peace, transitional justice, and support for the Syrian people keeps the session from being overtly confrontational or highly fragmented. Therefore, the level of disagreement, though present, is assessed as moderate, leading to a rating of 2 on a scale of 1 to 5.