EU Foreign Affairs Committee Chief Warns of New Syrian Civil War and Urges EU Vigilance
The chief of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, David McAllister (CDU), has warned of a new civil war in Syria and urged the European Union to remain vigilant. In an interview with the Funke Media Group’s Sunday editions, McAllister stated that the enormous potential consequences of the current developments, both within Syria and regionally and globally, should not be underestimated.
He added, “A stabilized Syria could enable the return of refugees to their homeland. On the other hand, the risk of a new civil war, which would lead to further refugee movements, is still not ruled out.”
The committee chairman also emphasized the threat of terrorism, saying, “The world’s jihadis are electrified by the success of the Islamists. Syria must not become a retreat for internationally operating terrorists again.”
The terrorist organization Al-Qaida has already sent its congratulations to the leader of the HTS rebel alliance, Abu Mohammad al-Jaulani. HTS is an extremist group that originated from the so-called Islamic State and was previously linked to Al-Qaida, with a $10 million bounty still out for al-Jaulani’s capture.
McAllister emphasized that further violence must be strictly avoided. All parties must now participate in an inclusive, Syria-led dialogue to ensure a well-ordered, peaceful, and inclusive transition. The EU should contribute to stabilizing the region and exert influence on states like Turkey and the Gulf states that have an impact in Syria.