Response to interpellation 2024/25:300 on the situation in northeastern Syria/Rojava
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
The debate concerned the situation in northeastern Syria and Rojava after the fall of the Assad regime. M argues that Sweden should support an inclusive transition process that respects Syria's territorial integrity and minority groups 1 2. M emphasizes the importance of humanitarian aid, de-escalation, and cooperation with Turkey to ensure stability and combat Daish 1 2 3. S believes that the government lacks clear answers on how Sweden should protect the SDF and Rojava against Turkey's military siege 4. S requests more concrete support for the most vulnerable groups and argues that Sweden must set demands on the new government regarding the inclusion of minorities 4 5. S emphasizes that Turkey must seek peace with the Kurds 6.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! Kadir Kasirga has asked me what measures I intend to take to prevent an escalation in northeastern Syria and to provide humanitarian and other support to the civilian population there as well as in the rest of Syria.
The fall of the brutal Assad regime is a historical opportunity for the Syrian people to shape their own future and build a free and democratic Syria. Sweden wishes to support this development - politically and through aid. The transition process that has now begun must be inclusive and respect all of Syria's minority groups. In this, Sweden, and the EU, are clear. The same applies to the importance of respecting Syria's territorial integrity.
Syria remains one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Sweden continues to provide humanitarian and other support throughout Syria, including in the northeast. Sweden's humanitarian aid to Syria in 2024 amounted to nearly a quarter of a billion kronor. In addition to this is the large Swedish core support to humanitarian actors operating in different parts of the country.
De-escalation and stability are important to prevent refugee flows, counter Daesh, and ensure the rights of the local population, including the Kurds. Sweden participates in the global coalition to fight Daesh - an important cooperation to counter terrorism and instability.
Furthermore, it is naturally important to have a close and sincere dialogue with regional and international actors regarding the developments in Syria. Turkey belongs there, given its role and influence in the country. Such an opportunity to convey the EU's clear positions was EU Commission President von der Leyen's meeting with President Erdogan in December 2024.
Kadir Kasirga (S)
Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for the answer to my interpellation.
During the last months, we have seen dramatic events in Syria. The terrorist-designated group al-Nusra, or Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has taken power in Damascus after a lightning attack and overthrown the Assad regime after over 50 years of oppression. But the joy among the Syrian people is short-lived because al-Nusra has declared that they intend to establish an Islamic state based on Sharia laws. This has created great concern, especially among the religious and ethnic minorities in Syria.
At the same time, we see how the Kurdish region of Rojava in northeastern Syria, which is one of the few pro-Western actors in the Middle East, is threatened by Turkey's military siege of Kobane. Here we are talking about the peace heroes who stood on the front line in the fight against Daish or IS and who, during bloody battles, cooperated with the US-led coalition and defended values such as democracy and human rights. Now they risk being crushed by Turkey, with the support of jihadist groups.
Despite this complex and serious situation in Syria, I unfortunately see no clear answers from the government on how Sweden should act. In the response from the Foreign Minister, our participation in the global coalition against Daish is mentioned, which is naturally important. We in the Social Democrats welcome this, but the question is whether it is enough.
What is Sweden doing more concretely to handle the changed situation in Syria? Why is there no focus on Turkey's increased influence in the region and its destabilizing role? And above all: What is Sweden doing to protect the SDF - Syria's Democratic Forces - which are part of the global coalition against Daish and constitute a large part of the resistance against this terrorist movement?
Sweden's aid is crucial, but it must be targeted strategically. It is not enough to talk about humanitarian support, but one must also concretize how we support the groups that are most vulnerable, especially the people in Rojava but also other ethnic and religious minorities in Syria.
Then we have again the question of Turkey. There, it is obvious, and it is reported every day how jihadist groups attack the Kurdish areas in Syria. Syria's territorial integrity is also not respected by Turkey. Today, 15 percent of Syria's territory is occupied by Turkey. Here it is important that the international community, the EU and above all we in Sweden stand up for the rules-based world order and mark it more strongly.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! I shall see if I can make the interpellator a little more satisfied with my answer.
It is still too early to draw all too definite conclusions about where Syria is headed. Great challenges remain. Political promises and program statements must be put into action.
We note that the new government says it cares about tolerance, respect for human rights and an inclusive process, but what counts is how one chooses to act. For example, the situation on the ground is unstable in parts of the country, including in the northeast. The government follows closely and is concerned about the reports of continued fighting in northern Syria.
Protection of civilians and civil infrastructure as well as unimpeded humanitarian access in accordance with international law must be ensured. We also, of course, share the international community's concern regarding increased attacks from Daish.
It is fundamental that security is ensured in the camps in northeastern Syria that are controlled by the Kurdish-led autonomy and where, among others, Daesh members are held. It is positive that the transitional administration in Damascus and the Kurdish-led autonomy in the northeast are pursuing a dialogue and that the ceasefire between the parties seems to be holding.
Madam Speaker! Turkey is and remains a central actor in Syria. The Turkish border with Syria constitutes NATO's southern flank. Turkey also has legitimate security interests linked to Syria, primarily in the context of the terrorist attacks carried out against Turkey by groups based in Syria.
It is absolutely crucial that Syria's territorial integrity is respected in order to be able to build a stable and free Syria. I believe we should be careful about speculating about the developments in different parts of Syria and what the uncertain situation may come to mean.
Sweden will, together with partners, continue to point out the need for de-escalation and stability in northern Syria. SDF remains an important actor and partner for the global coalition against Daish.
For the government's part, it is important that we conduct a dialogue with Turkey on how we can cooperate bilaterally and multilaterally, not least as part of the EU, to secure Turkey's legitimate security interests in a way that contributes to long-term stability in Syria.
Kadir Kasirga (S)
Madam Speaker! I thank you for the answers and clarifications. Now there came something a bit more concrete regarding how the government views our partners on the ground, especially the SDF and the Rojava administration.
I also think it is good that there is dialogue between the new authorities in Damascus, HTS, and the Kurdish administration. But I am, of course, still worried about the developments, because the new authorities have appointed a government where all ministers come from their camp and their organization. Among the government members, there are also individuals who have committed war crimes. Their Minister of Justice, for example, has been involved in the execution of women. It is viral on social media, so it can be found there.
It is also very important that Sweden acts together with the EU. I want to particularly point out France's, the United Kingdom's and Germany's commitment to Syria's future. France's president and Germany's foreign minister have, just like Sweden's foreign minister, explicitly clarified to the new power holders that it is important that the future Syria is inclusive. The ethnic and religious minorities must feel safe.
It has only been two months, but it is very important not to let history repeat itself given the developments when there was a revolution in Iran. When the Shah left Iran, everyone thought democracy would come, but it became an Islamist regime that we are struggling with today. From those experiences, we must be careful with legitimacy and not directly legitimize the new power holders in Damascus. Instead, one should really pressure them and set demands, even in Swedish aid policy, when it comes to the inclusion of all ethnic and religious minorities in Syria.
Before the civil war in Syria broke out in 2011, there were nearly 6 million Christians there. Today, there are barely 200,000. It will be devastating if the development continues in this way, for example with Turkey's actions towards the Rojava administration. There, there are still some Christian villages. The last Christians in Syria could disappear completely. They will not be able to live in Syria. But in the Rojava area, there is now another way and a social model where they have opened up for all ethnic and religious minorities to jointly govern the area they control. It is important that we continue to support them and ensure that Turkey, which is an important country for Nato and Europe, also seeks dialogue with the Kurds and resolves the conflicts by peaceful means.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! A bilateral security dialogue with Turkey will be launched shortly to more effectively develop our cooperation, with an emphasis on terrorism and organized crime. For the government, it is a long-term commitment. The work will continue with full force, among other things against the terrorist organization Daish. In this dialogue, Sweden will continue to point out the importance of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity being respected.
Kadir Kasirga raised the issue of aid. I will therefore say a few words about it. Sweden is already a major humanitarian donor to Syria, and it must really continue because the population's situation is terribly difficult. This also applies to interventions in northeastern Syria.
The Swedish support aims to provide people with access to basic necessities such as food, water, healthcare, and shelter. In addition to significant services to humanitarian actors operating in Syria, such as the World Food Programme, UNHCR, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Sweden contributed 252 million kronor in humanitarian aid during 2024 to alleviate distress and suffering among the civilian population.
On December 10, the government announced humanitarian support of 14 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross's work in Syria. That support goes, among other things, to their work assisting people who have been released from prisons and who wish to be reunited with their families. Additionally, Sida decided on December 13 to make a new allocation of 20 million kronor to UNHCR in Syria.
Sweden's humanitarian support to Syria will continue during 2025. It is necessary. Sweden's aid to Syria has primarily gone towards creating conditions for people to live and sustain themselves in Syria and in neighboring countries, for example through support for agriculture, for access to clean water and maternal care, to survivors of gender-based violence, as well as for support and protection of independent journalists. Efforts such as these are carried out throughout Syria, including in the north.
I am grateful that Kadir Kasirga highlights the concern for women's situation under the new regime. I truly share that concern, and I have raised it in many bilateral contacts with my EU colleagues. I am pleased that the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, during their visit recently, when they also spoke with HTS, highlighted these issues. It is something I see as completely central in the continued work.
There are opportunities now that the dreadful Assad regime has fallen, but it requires that we together influence in the best possible way so that the development moves in the right direction. There are, just as Kadir Kasirga has pointed out, many question marks and challenges ahead.
Kadir Kasirga (S)
Madam Speaker! Thank you for the comments and the answers, Minister for Foreign Affairs! It is pleasing to hear that we are in agreement regarding the view on the developments in Syria and that it is important to continue supporting the progressive forces that exist in the country, including the Kurds in Rojava and the SDF. At the same time, it is very important that Sweden, through bilateral contacts and membership in the EU and especially in Nato where Turkey is included, manages to make Turkey realize that the best possible solution - which also allows Turkey to live in peace and achieve a democratic development - is to simply seek peace with the Kurds and above all Rojava and to not continue with the attacks.
Right now, Turkey is carrying out extensive airstrikes against the Rojava region. Over 300,000 people are displaced and lack access to water due to the attacks. A humanitarian catastrophe is therefore already underway in the area. It is therefore very important to ensure that the humanitarian aid reaches the right places, especially in the areas that are under attack today.
I thank you for this debate with Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard and also for the fact that the Speaker and the chair have led the debate all the way until half past eight.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! The member and I are in complete agreement that the path forward will not be easy for Syria. The transition must be Syrian-led and place the interests of the Syrian people at the center, but we must contribute to and also influence the development both bilaterally as well as through the EU and in cooperation with regional partners.
Regarding the aid, it was established in the European Council's conclusions from the meeting in December that the EU shall review opportunities for the union - which is already the world's largest donor to the Syria crisis - to support the new Syria. The discussions continue at the next meeting of the EU's foreign ministers, which will take place soon. It is a very urgent task that Sweden will be a part of. It is, just as Kadir Kasirga says, a very difficult humanitarian situation in all of Syria.
I would like to conclude by thanking you for a very good debate. We will certainly have reason to return to this, and we will all follow the developments in Syria very closely. I also want to thank the chair for their perseverance this late evening. Democracy lives!
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.