NICOSIA, Cyprus — Cyprus has expressed its willingness to assist in the elimination of the remaining chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria and to support efforts to locate individuals who have been missing as a result of the ongoing war, according to a statement made by the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos.
Kombos emphasized that Cyprus draws on its historical experiences, particularly from its involvement in a previous mission aimed at eradicating chemical weapons in Syria ten years ago, as well as its own long-term search for many missing persons following conflicts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots dating back to the 1960s and the events of the Turkish invasion in 1974.
Back in 2013, Cyprus served as a support base for a joint operation organized by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that focused on the removal and disposal of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile.
Being just 65 miles away from Syria, Kombos noted that Cyprus has a significant interest in the ongoing situation in the neighboring country. Developments in Syria could have a direct impact on Cyprus, particularly concerning potential migration issues and the risks associated with terrorism and extremism, he conveyed in written responses to inquiries.
Kombos pointed out the widespread concerns among regional leaders regarding the future security situation in Syria, especially in light of the risk of extremist groups, such as Islamic State, re-emerging within a divided and unstable society. He also outlined the challenges posed by anticipated new waves of migration, as well as the need to safeguard the rights and safety of women and minority groups, including Druze, Christians, Jews, and Kurds, to preserve Syria’s “rich mosaic.”
The Foreign Minister highlighted the urgency of addressing social and demographic changes potentially introduced under the guise of security measures, which could contribute to further destabilization of Syria. He also drew attention to the alarming rise in the production of narcotics such as Captagon, which are linked with trafficking networks involved in the smuggling of people and weapons.
Kombos insisted that attacks against the Kurdish population in Syria must cease immediately, acknowledging the significant role that Kurdish forces have played in countering extremist threats like the Islamic State over the past decade. He advocated for a process led by Syrians themselves to transition to an inclusive democratic framework that recognizes the “legitimate asks” of the Kurdish community while ensuring the unity and territorial integrity of the nation.
Saleh Muslim, a member of the Kurdish Presidential Council, remarked that the Kurdish people primarily desire equality and rights guaranteed within a democratic system. He suggested that a future governance model could grant the Kurds a degree of autonomy within a federal structure, asserting, “The important thing is to have democratic rights for all Syrians, including the Kurdish community.”
Muslim expressed concerns regarding the Kurdish-majority city of Kobani, located near Syria’s border with Turkey, calling it “very much in danger” of being taken over by Turkish-backed forces and accused Turkey of intentions to occupy the region.
Kombos stressed the necessity for the international community to monitor and ensure that Turkey’s efforts in Syria do not exacerbate the situation on the ground. He concluded by stating, “No matter the future landscape in Syria, it will profoundly affect the region, the European Union, and the wider global community.”