In the face of the Syrian rebel militias’ advance, Johann Wadephul, the CDU’s union fraction vice, expects the imminent end of President Bashar al-Assad’s rule. ‘The Assad regime appears to be on the verge of a collapse. Neither Iran nor Russia are in a position to provide substantial assistance,’ he told the ‘Rheinische Post’ (Sunday edition).
Wadephul added, ‘Both have overextended militarily.’ At the same time, he emphasized that Europe must then help the country as a whole in a reconciliation process. ‘Then, even the chance arises for refugees to return instead of more people leaving the country.’
It is now crucial to persuade Turkey to, ‘play a constructive role and not instrumentalize individual Kurdish groups against each other,’ said Wadephul.’