UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s “barbaric regime” in Syria, urging civilian protection and a political solution to ensure stability.
The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, just before his first Middle East visit, called Syria’s situation “unprecedented” and highlighted the need for a political resolution.
Rebel forces seized control of Damascus overnight on Sunday, with sources revealing that Syrian President Assad has fled the city.
As reported by The Guardian, Sir Keir remarked, “The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure. Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails and peace and stability is restored.”
The British government evacuated its citizens over the weekend before the situation in Syria got worse.
Prime Minister Starmer called for protecting civilians and minorities, ensuring aid reaches the most vulnerable, and highlighted the UK’s ongoing talks with regional allies.
Amid rumors that Assad may have fled to the UAE, Sir Keir plans to talk about regional stability and security with the leaders of both nations.
Mr Keir said, “The developments in Syria in recent hours and days are unprecedented, and we are speaking to our partners in the region and monitoring the situation closely.”
Starmer was scheduled to fly to the Gulf on Sunday night, with plans to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and later travel to Saudi Arabia for discussion with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
During the meetings, the political crisis in Syria will be discussed, after the surprise fall of Assad, who led a violent war against his people for 13 years.
Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed that the Foreign Office had already prepared an evacuation plan before the weekend’s development and continues to assist UK nationals.
She told Sky News’s Trevor Phillips earlier on Sunday that “If Assad’s regime has fallen I welcome that news.”
Ms Rayner added, “What we need to see is a political resolution in line with the UN resolutions. We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected. Far too many people have lost their lives; we need stability in that region.”
She stated that while Assad was “not good to the Syrian people,” she expressed concern over Syria heading in a radical direction after his regime.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Syria’s top insurgent group, is described as a terrorist organization by both the UK and the UN due to its association with al-Qaida.
John Sawers, a former MI6 chief, stated the UK should reconsider the ban as “it would be rather ridiculous, actually, if we’re unable to engage with the new leadership in Syria because of a proscription dating back 12 years.”
The recent developments have renewed fresh debate over Labour’s 2013 opposition to military action in Syria, after the narrow defeat of David Cameron’s proposed intervention by just 13 votes.
Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, urged a review of the security and terrorism threats to the UK after Assad’s regime fall.
The Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead and a former charity worker, David Taylor, stated on X that “from 2013 this has been a truly shameful chapter in our party’s history and should never be allowed to happen again.”
I first met Adam protesting Corbyn and a 'Stop the War' event. So naturally I agree he is right – from 2013 this has been a truly shameful chapter in our party's history and should never be allowed to happen again. https://t.co/GqDXol56Sa
— David Taylor MP (@DavidTaylor85) December 8, 2024
Independent news reports that Amnesty International urged the UK to help “launch universal jurisdiction cases against suspected perpetrators” of human rights violations in Syria.
Jeremy Corbyn opposed airstrikes on Islamic State in Syria (ISIS) in Syria in 2015 but offered Labour MPs a free vote, leading to 66 MPs supporting Cameron’s proposal.
Ben Bradshaw, a former Labour minister, condemned the party’s opposition to Cameron’s 2015 motion as “shameful” and warned it must not happen again.
Starmer and Rayner both voted against the airstrikes, while 11 members of the shadow cabinet, including Hilary Benn, favored the strikes.
In 2015, Yvette Cooper, Heidi Alexander, Peter Kyle, Bridget Phillipson, Pat McFadden, and Lucy Powell supported Cameron’s proposed airstrikes.