Iran, Egypt voice support for Syria amid terrorist attacks
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The foreign ministers of Iran and Egypt underline their countries' support for Syria amid the war on terrorism it is undergoing.
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Internally displaced people sit in a camp in Tabqa city, Raqqa governorate, northern Syria, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated their nations' unwavering commitment to preserving Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity amidst a renewed wave of terrorism. The conversation, which took place on Wednesday night, highlighted the growing concerns over the destabilizing impact of terrorist groups in the region.
Araghchi briefed Abdelatty on the outcomes of his recent visits to Damascus and Ankara, where he engaged in discussions with Syrian and Turkish officials. He reaffirmed Iran's steadfast support for the Syrian government, its armed forces, and its people in their battle against terrorism.
Stressing the dangers posed by the resurgence of terrorist factions, Araghchi warned of the serious implications for regional peace, stability, and security. He emphasized the necessity of sustained diplomatic consultations among influential regional actors to effectively address and combat the threat.
Abdelatty shared insights from his discussions with foreign ministers of several countries regarding the situation in Syria. He reiterated Egypt's policy of upholding Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the functionality of its official institutions. He expressed concern over the impact of the ongoing conflict and underlined Egypt's commitment to supporting stability in Syria.
The two ministers agreed to maintain close communication and coordination in the face of the ongoing crisis. They stressed the importance of collective efforts to restore peace and combat the menace of terrorism in Syria, which continues to challenge the security of the broader region.
Astana peace process to kick off in Qatar
Araghchi stated Wednesday that the senior diplomats from the three guarantor states of the Astana peace process will meet in Qatar to discuss the revival of terrorism in Syria.
Araghchi stated on Wednesday that he will travel to Qatar "early next week" to participate in the Doha Forum.
He indicated that the next Astana process foreign ministerial meeting would be in Doha, noting that Russia and Turkiye's senior diplomats will also be in attendance.
"Certainly, Qatar will not participate in this meeting, and since these ministers are in Doha, we will hold the meeting there."
Iran, Russia, Syria, and Turkiye, established the Astana peace process in January 2017, with the goal of bringing an end to the Syrian crisis, which began in 2011.
Following the rise of terrorism in Syria last week, Iran's top diplomat emphasized the need to preserve the Astana peace negotiations' successes.
Thousands displaced
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representative in Syria, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, the number of Syrians forced to evacuate due to violence in Aleppo and elsewhere is fast increasing, having surpassed 150,000 in less than a week.
Llosa wrote on X that this number is expected to rise and the "blankets, mattresses and water our partners and us are giving them may relieve their suffering momentarily. But it will not be enough."
"They also urgently need shelter, basic services, and livelihoods," the commissioner detailed.
The terror offensive launched by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other insurgent groups, including the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), has been accompanied by accusations of foreign powers providing support, with claims of Ukrainian and Turkish backing fueling the escalation.
Particularly, Ukraine has been accused of providing HTS terrorists with FPV drones and other explosive drones, as well as the know-how to conduct coordinated assaults between ground forces and drone operators.
Meanwhile, the Syrian government continues to rally regional and international support against the onslaught. Moreover, Resistance factions and other allies continue to provide the Syrian government with personnel and equipment to thwart the goals of terrorists and their backers.
