Western pressure mounts on Syria’s leadership amidst security concerns
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syria’s Transitional President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, must take decisive actions to gain the trust of Western powers, Reuters reported on Wednesday citing three European envoys.
This came following recent sectarian violence that took place in the coastal region of Syria during a security operation.
During an extensive meeting in Damascus on March 11, the European envoys met with Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, stressing that curbing extremist fighters is their top priority.
They warned that international support for the new administration could dissipate unless urgent and resolute measures are taken.
Christophe Lemoine, spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry, reaffirmed this stance when questioned about the message delivered in Damascus. He stated, “The abuses that have taken place in recent days are truly intolerable, and those responsible must be identified and condemned,” adding that “there is no blank check for the new authorities.”
“We asked for accountability,” one of the European envoys present at the meeting said. “The punishment should go on those who committed the massacres. The security forces need to be cleaned up.”
Five diplomats and three analysts noted that such actions makes al-Sharaa reliant on the tens of thousands of fighters from other groups — including the very hardline jihadist factions he is being asked to combat – and moving against them could plunge Syria back into war, according to Reuters.
Reuters also reported that al-Sharaa’s decisions—particularly large-scale dismissals of public sector employees—have exacerbated divisions in the country, leaving hundreds of thousands without income.
Five European and Arab officials warned that this situation could push trained soldiers to join opposition groups or swell the ranks of the unemployed, thereby intensifying instability in Syria.
The report further stated that neither al-Sharaa’s office nor Syria’s Foreign Ministry responded to requests for comment.