Dutch Foreign Ministry: Syria’s situation remains fragile, unstable

The Ministry issued its annual report on the situation in Syria, confirming that the country is still experiencing "fragility" and "security instability," despite the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime last December.

The report pointed to stark differences in security levels from one area to another, and even from one neighborhood to another within the same city, particularly in areas under Damascus authority's control.

Although Damascus was described as "relatively safe," the report emphasized its fragility. Areas such as Homs, Hama, and the south of the country were described as "extremely fragile."

The report also highlighted the rise in sectarian violence and the return of security chaos in the coastal areas. It noted that the absence of transitional justice has worsened acts of revenge and kidnapping, especially in central and western Syria.

The report pointed out that "ISIS is still present in eastern areas, while Israel continues to launch airstrikes in various regions, particularly in the southwest of Syria." It confirmed that Israeli incursions and shelling have contributed to escalating the political and security turmoil, especially in Daraa and Quneitra.

The release of the report coincided with controversial political statements in the Netherlands calling for the return of Syrian refugees, despite objections from human rights organizations.

A decision is currently awaited on the files of around 15,000 Syrian asylum seekers and 30,000 family reunification requests.

A-H 

ANHA