About: Syria
EU voices concern over UN Syria aid plan
The EU on Sunday (12 June) voiced "deep concern" at a UN move to close an access point for humanitarian aid to war-torn Syria.
We must not forget the legacy of Srebrenica
This week we mark 25 years since the Srebrenica genocide carried out against the Bosnian people during the break-up of Yugoslavia. On 11 July, 1995, Bosnian Serb forces led by General Ratko Mladic and Serbian paramilitary units systematically massacred 8,372 men and boys: each one a mother’s son, a father, husband or loved one, to those left behind. It must not be forgotten, writes Anna Fotyga.
International donors pledge $7.7 billion in aid to Syria
International donors pledged $7.7 billion in aid to face the ongoing humanitarian crisis at a Syrian aid summit co-hosted by the EU and the United Nations on Tuesday (30 June).
Turkey accuses France of exacerbating Libya crisis
Turkey angrily accused France on Tuesday (16 June) of exacerbating the crisis in Libya and violating UN and NATO decisions by supporting the forces of Khalifa Haftar against the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).
Europe’s COVID crisis does little to disparage Mediterranean migrants
Alfa Jafo has spent the last few months working in the kitchen at a restaurant in the historic city of Agadez in Niger, a launchpad for irregular migration in the Sahel. Asked if the COVID-19 pandemic has killed his dream of going to Europe, Jafo looks genuinely puzzled and says 'No'.
Growing number of Turkish citizens apply for asylum in Germany
Since the attempted coup in Turkey in summer 2016, the number of asylum applications submitted by Turkish citizens in Germany has increased significantly. In 2019, Turkish asylum seekers were the third-most-registered group, after Syrians and Iraqis, according to the country's agency for migration and refugees (BAMF). EURACTIV Germany reports.
Russia joins UN’s appeal for global ceasefire, lists conflicts by name
Russia’s foreign ministry published a statement on Wednesday (25 March) urging all parties to regional armed conflicts to immediately stop hostilities, secure a ceasefire, and introduce a humanitarian pause, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
UN chief calls for ‘immediate global ceasefire’ amid COVID-19 pandemic
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a global truce in the world's conflict zones on Monday (23 March) in order to protect vulnerable civilians from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
EU foreign ministers promise more humanitarian aid to Syria
The EU is willing to provide more money for migrants stranded in Turkey, but Ankara must refrain from using them as a bargaining chip, the bloc's foreign ministers announced after an extraordinary meeting about the crisis in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, held in Zagreb on Friday (6 March).
Turkey-Russia agreed ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib comes into force
A ceasefire in northern Syria agreed between Russia and Turkey came into force on Friday (6 March), aiming to halt intense fighting that has sparked a humanitarian disaster and raised fears of their armies clashing.
Erdogan says Turkey cannot handle new migrant wave from Syria, warns Europe
Turkey cannot handle a fresh wave of migrants from Syria, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday (22 December), warning that European countries will feel the impact of such an influx if violence in Syria's northwest is not stopped.
NATO slams Turkey over Syria, lukewarm reactions to German ‘safe zone’ proposal
NATO defence ministers on Thursday (24 October) denounced Turkey for its military incursion in Northeast Syria, but acknowledged there was little they could do to restrain their strategically important ally.
US defence secretary says Turkey ‘going in the wrong direction’ in NATO
Turkey’s recent behaviour "has put us all in a terrible situation", US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said in Brussels on Thursday. He said Ankara's "unwarranted" invasion into Syria jeopardised the security gains made as the US-led coalition and allied Kurdish forces battled the Islamic State (IS) in the area in recent years.
US welcomes German security plan for Syria, unlikely to take part
The United States and NATO cautiously welcomed on Wednesday (23 October) a German proposal for a security zone in northern Syria, though Washington's envoy to the alliance saying it should be for Europe to take charge and not US forces.
Russia, Turkey reach ‘historic’ deal on Syria border
Russia and Turkey agreed on Tuesday (22 October) to ensure Kurdish forces withdraw from areas close to Syria's border with Turkey and to launch joint patrols, in a deal hailed as "historic" by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Germany proposes security zone for northern Syria
German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on Monday (21 October) suggested the creation of a security zone in northern Syria to protect displaced civilians and ensure that the fight continues against Islamic State militia.
Turkey’s incursion into Syria is making the EU and Kurds rethink their friends
The EU may condemn Turkey’s military incursion into Syria, yet it also has Turkey to thank for holding back the migrant crisis. Publicly, Europe wants to send a message. Privately, it knows it cannot say too much, writes Faisal Al Yafai.
Turkey pushes offensive in Syria, while Russia moves in where US moved out
Turkey vowed to press ahead with its offensive in northern Syria on Tuesday (15 October) despite US sanctions and growing calls for it to stop, while Syria's Russia-backed army moved on the key city of Manbij that was abandoned by US forces.
Russia-backed Syrian army sweeps in to fill US-left vacuum
Russia-backed Syrian forces took rapid advantage of an abrupt US retreat from Syria on Monday (14 October), deploying deep inside Kurdish-held territory south of the Turkish frontier less than 24 hours after Washington announced a full withdrawal.
EU condemns Turkey’s military action, stops short of common arms embargo
EU foreign minister on Monday (14 October) unanimously condemned Turkey’s military action in north-eastern Syria, asking all member states to stop selling arms to Ankara. However, they stopped short of an EU-wide arms embargo that France and Germany had sought.
NATO’s Stoltenberg warns of risks to alliance’s unity over Turkey
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday (14 October) the military alliance should not lose its unity in the fight against Daesh (IS), in light of Turkey’s military operation against Kurdish militants in northeastern Syria.
Macron plays appeasement card after Goulard’s rejection
After an initial outburst, French President Emmanuel Macron sought to ease tensions on Sunday (13 October) following the rejection last week of his protégée Sylvie Goulard as France's candidate for the European Commission. EURACTIV France reports.
Greece calls for more NATO ships to patrol Aegean Sea following Turkey’s Syria offensive
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on NATO to increase naval patrols in the Aegean Sea on Thursday (10 October) after a threat by Turkey to open Europe's doors to more than three million migrants.