Switzerland urges parties in Syria to work toward peace, reconciliation

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Switzerland on Sunday called on all parties to work toward peace and reconciliation after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

“We are closely monitoring the situation after recent developments,” the Foreign Ministry said in X.

“Switzerland calls on all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law and human rights, and work toward peace and reconciliation,” the ministry said.

- Developments in Syria

Clashes between Assad regime forces and anti-regime groups erupted on Nov. 27 in rural areas west of Aleppo, a significant city in northern Syria.

On Nov. 30, anti-regime forces captured most of Aleppo’s center and secured full control of Idlib province. Last Thursday, following intense clashes, they seized the city center of Hama.

The groups also advanced in Homs, a strategically crucial province leading to Damascus, capturing key settlements.

In Daraa province near the Jordanian border, opposition forces launched an operation on Friday, regaining control of the city center. The same day, they took over Suwayda province in the south and Quneitra’s provincial center.

By Saturday, anti-regime groups had seized Homs' provincial center and begun advancing into Damascus' southern suburbs. Regime forces abandoned key locations, including the Defense and Interior ministries and Damascus International Airport.

By Sunday morning, the Assad regime had lost all control over the capital.

Meanwhile, in ‘Operation Dawn of Freedom’ launched on Dec. 1, the opposition Syrian National Army liberated the Tel Rifaat district center from the PKK/YPG terrorist organization in Aleppo's rural areas.