Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has urged the U.S. and Europe to closely monitor Syria’s new ruling Islamist group, which is seeking legitimacy in the West. He emphasized the need for religious minorities, including the sizable Orthodox Christian population, to be included in governance.
Gerapetritis warned that lifting sanctions should be a gradual and reversible process to ensure compliance with international law. His statements came just before a violent weekend in Syria, where clashes between the new regime and Assad loyalists left hundreds dead.
Syria’s Deadliest Clashes Since Assad’s Ouster Spark Global Concerns and U.N. Action
Syria witnessed one of its bloodiest internal conflicts since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December. Fighting erupted after Assad loyalists ambushed government forces in Latakia, leading to retaliatory killings that targeted entire families, especially from the Alawite sect.
The death toll remains disputed, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimating over 1,000 casualties, while another group reported 327 civilians killed by government forces. The United Nations has condemned the violence, calling for an immediate end to civilian killings.
West Must Scrutinize Syria’s Islamist Government, Greek Foreign Minister Warns Amid Escalating ViolenceThe ongoing conflict has prompted concerns from the international community, with the U.S. and Russia requesting a U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss the situation. Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, downplayed the violence as expected challenges, urging national unity.
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the ruling group, has been attempting to rebrand itself after its break from al-Qaeda in 2016. The Biden administration recently lifted a $10 million bounty on al-Sharaa, signaling a possible shift in international policy towards the new regime.
Greece’s Regional Strategy: Balancing Turkey, Strengthening India Ties, and Countering China’s Influence
Apart from Syria, Gerapetritis also expressed concerns over Turkey’s Blue Homeland Doctrine, which lays claim to large portions of the eastern Mediterranean, including Greek waters. While relations between Greece and Turkey have improved in recent years—particularly in reducing airspace violations and cooperating on illegal immigration—the Greek minister stressed the need for a formal agreement on maritime zones. He positioned Greece as a key stabilizing force in the region and a defender of international law.
Gerapetritis highlighted Greece’s deepening ties with India, viewing his country as a crucial gateway for the proposed Middle East-Europe corridor. This initiative is seen as a countermeasure to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has expanded Chinese influence through infrastructure investments worldwide.
Despite China’s past financial support to Greece during its debt crisis, the country is now seeking alternative trade partnerships. The Greek foreign minister emphasized the importance of diversifying global trade routes, aligning closely with U.S. foreign policy interests.