HTS, which captured the Syrian capital Damascus, is classified as a terrorist organization.
The events of the last few days in Syria caught Finland by surprise. Foreign minister Elina Valtonen (collective) tells that the quick capture of the capital Damascus was not expected.
The rebel forces that have taken over the capital are led by the extreme Islamic HTS organization, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Both the UN, the EU and the United States consider HTS a terrorist organization.
– It means, for example, that we have no political or diplomatic relations and now we are monitoring the development of the situation, Valtonen says.
Now Valtonen says that he is particularly concerned about the rights of women and girls in Syria. The treatment of various minorities is also under monitoring.
– There are doubts that especially for women and girls and many minorities, it is not going to be an easy time, Valtonen thinks.
In addition to women and girls, Valtonen mentions various gender minorities.
– The rights of women, girls and various minorities have been very limited in various dictatorships and especially in jihadist states.
The events also surprised Turkey
President of Syria Bashar al-Assad has reportedly left Syria and his whereabouts are unknown.
When the events that led to this started last week, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen met with the foreign ministers of other NATO countries in Brussels. Valtonen says that the events surprised everyone.
– I discussed this with, among others, Turk, and yes, this came out of the blue for everyone, Valtonen describes.
Now the events are being monitored, and their wider impact cannot be said yet.
– Within the framework of the EU and the UN, we hope that humanitarian law would be the primary starting point in everything.
Valtonen also dares to hope that Syria would develop in a democratic direction.
– The terrorist organization HTS, at least so far, has not shown such an interest, Valtonen admits.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recommended for a long time that Finns should not travel to Syria. However, there are currently a few Finnish citizens in the country who are known to the ministry.
follows the events of Syria in this updated story.