Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
231. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if diplomatic efforts have been made following recent events in Aleppo, Syria, where the Kurdish enclaves of Sheikh Maqsoud and Asrafiyeh have come under sustained attack from the interim Syrian government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4147/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is deeply concerned by the recent violence in north west Syria involving both forces linked to the transitional authorities and the primarily Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces. Fighting appears to have been brief, but displacement of people, primarily from the Kurdish enclaves, may have continued. Ireland supported the EU statement that called for an end to the violence in Aleppo and for the ceasefire to be implemented by all parties.
I therefore welcome the agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF, which includes both a ceasefire in Aleppo and advances the political process to integrate the SDF with the Syrian transitional government.
There are many areas in Syria where the ethnic or religious based militias which arose during the civil war remain in place, some of them now aligned with the new transitional authorities, some remaining separate. There are also Assad regime remnants and Da’esh forces are rebuilding. Tensions and clashes based on these divisions are a continuing concern.
Syria remains in a state of transition, with the new authorities working to establish agreements and set out pathways towards inclusive governance while ensuring justice and accountability. Syria continues to suffer from a legacy of sectarian and ethnic tensions, economic deprivation and humanitarian need, and external interference. Overcoming this legacy includes challenging negotiations with the different religious and ethnic groupings to ensure an inclusive transition for all Syrians.
Ireland and our EU partners are committed to supporting the emergence of a Syria that is equal, inclusive, and ensures the protection and integration of all communities. I raised this also with regional partners during my recent visit to Egypt and Jordan.
Ireland continues to support Syria’s positive transition and pledged over €22 million to the Syrian crisis at the Brussels Conference in March last year and supported the early lifting of EU economic sanctions. During my recent visit to the region I announced further funding of €1.5 million to UNHCR and €1 million to UNICEF to support their work with Syrian refugees.
Syria’s transition and events continually feature on the EU agenda, including at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, and Ireland and its EU partners will continue to monitor progress and developments on the ground.
