Syria Calls for Big Fight Against ISIS: But Doubts Sincerity of Some Partners in The U.S. Coalition
Syria, the hot bed of ISIS activities, has called for a worldwide effort to combat the Islamic State. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem in a statement made at the United Nations articulated Syria's stand, which is seen by many, as an indication of its tacit approval of the U.S. and Arab led air strikes in its territory, against Islamic State militants.
Pulverise Terror Groups
Moualem told the world leaders that military action against Islamic State, or al Qaeda's Syrian outfit Nusra Front must be followed up by cutting off funds, weapons, fighters and training. The Syrian minister saw this as the opportune time to pool together all efforts against terrorism as no country is immune to its threat and danger, reported Reuters.
Moualem also said any military action must abide by the international laws and respect the sovereignty of the host country. This was an expression of hurt by Syria as the United States only informed Syria's U.N. ambassador about its plan to start air strikes in that country. But it refused to take the approval of President Bashar al-Assad and his government.
Moualem did not condemn the air strikes outright, but warned that military action in association with certain countries in the coalition will be self defeating as some of them are covertly supporting these militants.
Reservations On U.S. Partners
Syria has been accusing Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey of pampering and supporting Islamist militants in its country. The Syrian civil war has killed more than 190,000 people since the government began crackdown on pro-democracy activists in 2011.
Moualem also tried to improve the image of Assad's government saying it is striving for a political solution by having a dialogue with the national opposition opposed to terrorism within the Syrian territory. The Syrian foreign minister who is also the deputy prime minister stated that his government does not consider the West-backed Syrian National Coalition and Free Syrian Army as viable opposition it can do business with.
Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that discontent is brewing against the U.S. among the opponents of president Assad. They are feeling bitter at the new legitimacy gained by Assad thanks to the tactical U.S. support. They are also angry at the reports of civilian casualties from the air strikes.
The anti-Assad rebels, who are also opposed to ISIS, feel let down by the U.S. because of the air raid targets chosen by the United States. The air offensive had hit the headquarters of the Nusra Front, an insurgent group which was a tactical ally to many anti-Assad Syrian rebels. They wanted the U.S. to go hard on the ISIS and not weaken the anti Assad rebels.