RysMUN 2014

Disarmament and International Security Committee

Study Guide Carl Pfeiffer and Oskar Stevens

Fighting Extremism and Promoting Peaceful Development and Security in Greater Syria________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction

The Syrian Civil War is an ongoing armed conflict with devastating consequences both in regards to human dignity, economy, and regional stability.1 The conflict was sparked in the wake of the Arab Spring, a revolutionary wave of protests throughout the Middle East aiming at ousting corrupt and illegitimate despots in the Arab World, both violent and non-violent. 4 years have gone and the human costs continue to climb as the fighting goes on. The UN has stopped updating the death toll because it says it can no longer verify the information, but according to human rights groups, then number is significantly over 200.000, half of whom are believed to be civilian casualties2. In addition, millions of refugees have sought sanctuary in the neighboring countries. Three quarters of refugees are children and woman. At the same time the unrest has proved a magnet for militant Islamists, including al-Qaeda affiliates and Iranian-backed Hezbollah.On June 29, 2014 The Islamic State of Syria and the Levant, referred to as ISIL, ISIS, or IS, proclaimed a caliphate in Syria, with the intent of expanding this caliphate to cover most of the Arab world, including the African Maghreb. The Islamic State is internationally recognized as a terrorist organization, having publically executed a large number of prisoners, and committing countless breaches of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other statutes of international law. Futhermore, UNESCO have warned that Islamic State are committing a “cultural cleansing,” destroying or defacing many historic sites and artifacts in this culturally and historically rich part of the world, some of which are even on UNESCO world heritage list.According to a UNSC report in March 2015, more than 25,000 foreign nationals from over 100 nations have traveled to Syria to fight for extremist organizations, leading the UN to call Syria and Iraq a “finishing school for extremists". Many nations worry that these foreign nationals could pose a serious security threat, both in their own nations and elsewhere, once they disperse from the area.

1 http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/syria-dashboard/ 2 http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/07/us-mideast-crisis-toll-idUSKBN0LB0DY20150207

The situation is complex but it is the UN’s task to fight extremism and promote peaceful development and security in Greater SyriaThe options are numerous: E.g. UN peacekeepers could be sent to the area to reinforce the safety. Some countries may be against as it could be a breach of a nation’s sovereignty. Should Syria be granted a membership of the Arab League again, which could help the country re-stable their economy? In addition, what issues should have first priorities – the infrastructure, schools, rehabilitation centers, or fighting terrorist organizations, or establishing a central government in Syria? Moreover, do developed countries have a responsibility to financially support humanitarian efforts in the area? It is your responsibility as a delegate to find the solution that benefits the entire region without forgetting your country’s policy.

Key Terms and Points

Arab League: The Arab League facilitates political, economic, cultural, scientific and social programs designed to promote the interests of the Arab world. The league has also blamed the al-Assad regime for use of chemical weapons, and called for the UN to take “deterrent measures” against these. Syria has been suspended from the league since 2011 as a consequence of the internal conflict and instability.

UNHCR: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Foreign Nationals: More than 25,000 foreign nationals from over 100 nations have traveled to Syria to fight for extremist organizations, leading the UN to call Syria and Iraq a “finishing school for extremists". Many nations worry that these foreign nationals could pose a serious security threat, both in their own nations and elsewhere, once they disperse from the area.

Background information

The Syrian government’s violence against civilians has seen it suspended from the Arab League in 2011 and the Organisation of Islamic Relations in 2012.

Both China and Russia have significant economic and military relations with Syria. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the duo has vetoed three resolutions designed to isolate the Assad regime

In November 2012, several opposition factions came together to form an umbrella group in exile known as the Syrian National Council(SNC)The United States recognizes the coalition as the "legitimate representative of the Syrian people," hoping it will serve as a counterweight to extreme Islamist groups fighting in Syria.

Syria has become a breeding ground for extremist terror organization, both new have been established and veteran organizations such as the Islamist State regained their strength. If Greater Syria is not stabilized, it could end up becoming the new Afghanistan. In this sense, the Syrian Civil War poses a security threat to the whole world.

SyriaThe following text should give you a quick understanding of the parties involved:

The conflict is overtly sectarian in nature. The government is headed by Assad, an Alawite (offshoot of Shia Islam), and the majority of the opposition is of Sunni Islam faith. Assad receives assistance from Iran, the largest Shia country in the world; Hezbollah, a Shi'ite State within a State in Lebanon; and Russia, who utilized Syria as a surrogate against Israel during the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Adding to the complexity, the opposition is divided amongst the relatively secularist Free Syrian Army, which is funded by the United States; the fundamentalist Islamic Front, which is armed by Sunni-dominant Saudi Arabia; Al Nusra Front, who pledged themselves to Al Qaeda; the Kurdish Supreme Committee, a third party of ethnic Kurds who seek greater autonomy or independence; and the independent Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, with dozens of clashes between all parties involved.

Demographics of Syria

Key players and neighboring countries

Republic of Iraq: Iraq and Syria have long been regional opponents. The pan-Arab socialist Ba’ath party ruled both regimes, this ideological common ground has however lead to more political adversity than cooperation. In the race to becoming the greatest defender of pan-arabism, tensions sparked and hostilities increased. However, ever since the ousting of Saddam Hussein, thus ending the ideological struggle, relations have begun normalizing. Iraq even abstained from voting to expel Syria from Arab League. Iraq is in a very unstable and weak position, it has been called a ’regional playground’ rather than a ’regional player’. The Syrian Civil War works as a catalyst for Iraq’s own domestic problems. The secterian and religious violence in Iraq is sparked further by spillover from the Syrian Civil War. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, a major al-Qaeda linked terror organization operating within Syria and Iraq, have successfully occupied large swaths of Iraqi territory. Iraq sees it in its greatest interest to ensure stability in Syria, following the civil war, because it is key to Iraq’s own stability and future.

The Islamic Republic of Iran: The current relationship between Iran and Syria has existed ever since the Islamic Revolution 1979’ in Iran. Although Iran is a full blooded theocracy and Syria is lead by a socialist party, they share one of the strongest political ties in the region. Syria serves as an extremely important ally to Iran and as a geographical link and landbridge to Iran’s proxy in Lebanon: Hezbollah. Therefore it is key for Iran to ensure that the Shiite Alawites remain in power, or at least a pro-Iranian government is installed in the aftermath of the Syrian Civil War or the Islamic Republic of Iran may end up losing both Syria and the links to Lebanon, and thus she will stand weaker and more isolated than she has ever been. Therefore, it is vital for Iran that there is room for Iran in a post-Syria, to secure the Islamic Republic’s future well-being.

Jordan: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan feels that it is very important that the international society and/or the Arab League deals with economically supporting Jordan with the huge influx of Syrian refugees, that are currently swarming to Jordan. So far almost 950.000 refugees have amassed, counting for over 1/5 of the population a number that is growing every day and has the potential to cripple Jordan’s economy and overload its infrastructural capacity – that is why Lebanon sees this problem dealt with sooner than later. Furthermore, Jordan are part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State with airstrikes, and remain committed to destroying the organization.

Saudi Arabia: Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia has backed the opposition groups that are trying to topple Assad's Shiite regime. It's suspected that the Saudis have even provided the opposition with arms, as have its allies in Qatar and Turkey. The Saudis are also believed to have strong ties with opposition leader Ahmad Jarba. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia are part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State with airstrikes, and remain committed to destroying the organization.

Turkey: Relations between Turkey and Syria have long been tense, Syria has been one of the main supporters of the PKK, a Kurdish-nationalistic militant separatist organization within Turkey, which has so far cost the Turkish government between 300 and 450 billion dollars. In 1999 it even came close to war, with Turkey calling for Syria to expel PKK’s leader Abdullah Öcalan or face Turkey’s military. Since then relations have begun thawing, however with the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War Turkey, as a NATO country, has been one of the key supporters of the opposition. The Syrian National Council has its headquarters in Turkey, and Turkey has allowed for opposition groups to attack Syrian government positions from Turkish borders. Syrian military has downed a Turkish jet and Turkey has, with the help from EU and NATO, deployed defensive Patriot Missiles along her borders. The Turkish parliament has even signed and ratified a decree in 2012, that allowed for military action in Syria. For Turkey Assad cannot stay, he is too illegitimate and the people must be represented by the people. However, it is in Turkey’s gravest interest that the Kurdish minority residing in North Syria does not create a breakaway de facto Kurdistan following the Syrian Civil War as this could serve as an agent provocateur for Turkey’s own Kurdish minority. This means that Turkey will do anything to support and promote the legitimacy of the Syrian National Council.

Israel: Israel’s long standing conflict with the Lebanese-based Hezbollah group, who are strong supporters of the al-Assad regime, has caused extremely strained relations with the regime. They are vocally supportive of the SNC, and have even gone as far as to launch an air strike against a Syrian weapons depot, “What we can say is that Israel is determined to prevent the transfer of chemical weapons or other game-changing weaponry by the Syrian regime to terrorists, specially to Hezbollah in Lebanon”, one Israeli official commented. Israel has publically supported the international coalition fighting the Islamic State with airstrikes, but have not participated themselves.

Russia: Russian association with the ruling Assad family go back four decades and the country enjoys a stable friendly relationship with Syria. According to The Moscow Times Russia have investments in Syria valued at $19.4 billion in 2009. In addition Russia has sold around $1.5 billion worth of arms to Syria between 2000 and 2010 – Damascus is Moscow’s seventh largest client. As a result Russia has supported the Syrian government and promised to veto any sanctions against Syria. Furthermore, Russia opposed the military intervention "without the consent of the legitimate government" and said that "this step, in the absence of a UN Security Council decision, would be an act of aggression, a gross violation of international law"

United States: United States-Syria relations are officially non-existent. In August 2011 President Obama called for Assad’s resignation and as a result sanctioned Syrian government by e.g. banning imports of Syrian petroleum products. The White House has provided nonlethal aid – namely, food

and medical kits – to the opposition. Furthermore, the United States leads the coalition intervening in the area with airstrikes, in an attempt to curb the Islamic State and fight international terrorism. The United States officially recognizes the SNC as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

The People’s Republic of China: Much like Russia, has economic and military relations with Syria. China has prevented any UN action in Syria beyond providing humanitarian aid and fostering dialogue. To this end, China has joined with Russia to veto Western-backed UN resolutions that would have placed sanctions on the al-Assad regime.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: David Cameron narrowly lost a vote for a military response to the alleged chemical weapons use. The United Kingdom officially recognizes the SNC as the only legitimate representative of the Syrian people, and maintains extremely strained relations with the Al-Assad Regime. Furthermore, The UK are part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State, although they have only provided surveillance services.

France: The former French President Nicolas Sarkozy took the initiative for the Friends of Syria conference in February 2012, and recognizes the SNC as the legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. France maintains extremely strained relations with the Al-Assad Regime. Furthermore, France are part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State with airstrikes, and remain committed to destroying the organization.

Germany: Germany recognizes the SNC as the legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. They maintain extremely strained relations with the Al-Assad Regime. Furthermore, Germany are part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State with airstrikes, and remain committed to destroying the organization.

Republic of India: Ever since the partition of India, India has pursued relations with the Muslim world in general and Arab World in particular. Furthermore India took a pro-Arab stance in regards to the Arab-Israeli conflict to counter Pakistani influence in the region and secure a stable flow of energy resources from the region. This means India will be likely to share the same opinion as most Arab countries and the Arab League, and seek to counter most of Pakistan’s arguments.

Islamic Republic of Pakistan: During the Yom Kippur war of 1973 between Israel and Syria and Egypt, a strong military contingent was dispatched under order of the Pakistani foreign minister to

combat train and help advise Syrian soldiers. Relation between Pakistan and Syria have gone up and down, and during the Syrian Civil War Pakistan was quick to announce its neutrality. However, Pakistan has more than one declared its resistance towards military intervention in Syria, stating it would only ‘make things more complicated’. Despite Pakistan’s neutrality, its con-intervention stance and growing relations with China seems to make Pakistan’s interests more aligned with that of Russia and China, more so than Turkey or Saudi Arabia. Pakistan have, however, supported the fight against Islamic State, arresting IS member operating in Pakistan and deploying troops to the Saudi-Iraq border.

Canada: Since the start of the Syrian uprising in March of 2011, Canada has worked to support the Syrian people. They have been active in calling on the international community to come together and defend the rights of the Syrian people to determine their own future. As a response to the chemical weapons found in Syria, Canada imposed sanctions against Syrian government, including the import of goods, new investments in Syria and the export to Syria of goods. Furthermore, Canada are part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State with airstrikes, and remain committed to destroying the organization.

United Arab Emirates: The UAE share close ties with many of the Sunni countries in the region, and have thus had historically, relatively strained relations with the Al-Assad Regime. They have traditionally opted to follow a political line close to that of Jordan or Saudi Arabia concerning Syria, and especially in relation to the fight against Islamic State, continue to do so, as an active member of the international coalition intervening with airstrikes.

Republic of Belarus: The Republic of Belarus is entirely dependent on Russia to keep its economy running, and the two countries share extremely close ties, with some even going as far as suggesting the Belarus is a Russian puppet-state, due to the extensive plans to join the two nations in a Russian-led union. Therefore, the Belarus’ foreign policy is heavily influenced by their large neighbour, and this is no less the case with Syria, where Belarus maintains almost identical policy with Russia.

The Kingdom of Denmark: Denmark is part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State, but is only confining their actions to Iraq. This is considered more a case of strategic matters, and Denmark is also in support of military interventions in Syria. Just after Belgium Denmark has the highest number of foreign fighters per capita in Syria. Denmark also sees Syria is a threat towards its internal affairs because of the radicalization among youths in Denmark.

Republic of Korea: Despite having little direct stake in the Syrian civil war, it is important to South Korea that the international community responds to the violations of human rights. Korea sees itself as an internationally active middle power and has since the outburst of the civil war

supported the Syrian rebels non-militarily. Korea will continue to look for resolutions based on humanitarian aid and provide its expertise on economic development.

Commonwealth of Australia: Australia is part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State, and has conducted several airstrikes over Iraq targeting facilities belonging to ISIL. Australia has also carried out humanitarian aid, as well as training to Kurdish land troops. Australia is part of the “core coalition” and has chosen to back the US in their interventions towards ISIL. One of these options is cracking down on the financial transfers from individuals in the gulf to jihadi type groups in Syria and targeting the oil reserves from which ISIL gains financially.

Arab Republic of Egypt: Since the military coup in Egypt that toppled Mohammed Morsi Mohammed, Egyptian-Syrian relations has restored to the same good relations as under the reign of Hosni Mubarak. Since the outbreak of the civil war Egypt has supported the Syrian opposition, but has refused to back a military strike on Syria and has urged the warring parties to launch peace talks. Very recently Egypt has changed its rhetoric and president el-Sisi has talked about an Arab coalition against ISIS. Because of Egypt’s strategic and political importance in the region, this could be a crucial step towards a potential pan-Arab force with a common enemy in ISIS.