German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Iran of exacerbating violence in Syria’s coastal region, linking Iranian-backed groups to remnants of Assad’s forces. Baerbock urged the Syrian government to mitigate extremist violence and ensure accountability, amidst reports of over 1,300 civilian deaths. Iran denied involvement and condemned attacks on the Alawite community.

On Thursday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock addressed concerns regarding escalating violence in Syria’s coastal region, attributing the unrest to Iran’s involvement. She stated that Tehran-backed groups were reportedly connected to remnants of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, contributing to the violence.

During a press conference following her meeting with Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Baerbock emphasized that, “Iran is one of the key actors violating Syrian sovereignty and is involved in the recent events on the coast.”

She urged the Syrian government to take decisive action against extremist factions and ensure accountability for those committing crimes amidst the turmoil. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the recent wave of violence resulted in the deaths of at least 1,383 civilians, primarily from the Alawite community.

In response to these allegations, Iran has condemned the attacks targeting Alawites and outright denied any role in the ongoing unrest in the region.

The German Foreign Minister’s comments underline concerns regarding Iranian influence in Syria, particularly in relation to the ongoing violence. With numerous civilian casualties reported, Baerbock’s appeal for accountability and decisive action from the Syrian government reflects the urgent need to address these violations of sovereignty and protect vulnerable communities.

Original Source: shafaq.com