Syria External Team

The Syria External Team was in charge of FCO and British government subversion strategies - including those led by MI6 - in Syria from 2010.

Katherine Wilde, Head, Syria External Team, FCO

Katherine gave an overview of the UK approach to Syria and its 4 main objectives – minimise humanitarian suffering; build regional resilience; maximise chances of a negotiated political settlement; and countering extremism. The UK’s view is that the only long-term solution to the situation in Syria is a sustainable political settlement based on transition away from Asad to a government that can protect the rights of all Syrians, unite the country and end the conflict. It is for Syrians to decide how that happens, as part of a Syrian-led, inclusive political transition process.

The UK has been, inter alia, working through diplomatic channels – supporting the Geneva process and supporting the moderate opposition (MO). The Foreign Secretary hosted the Syrian opposition High Negotiations Committee in London in 2016, and Lord Ahmad led a recent debate on political support to MO.

Katherine gave a detailed outline of the support the UK provides through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF). UK has also played a key role in pushing for EU sanctions, most recently 16 individuals were listed in July linked to chemical weapons use. We are committed to accountability for human rights violations – funding collection of evidence and support to the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism. UK supports peace building and track 2 initiatives to ensure views of diverse range of Syrians are included within political dialogue. UK also supports Track 3 negotiations through training and mentoring programmes – capacity building and network building.

Katherine thanked the NGOs for their reports on de-escalation zones/areas (DEAs). The UK continues to support all genuine efforts to reduce the level of violence in Syria to protect civilians and create the right conditions for a successful political process. Efforts to de-escalate violence in particular areas must be seen in the context of the need for all parties to observe a nationwide cessation of hostilities.

DEAs / Astana areas have only resulted in nominal, if that, ceasefires in many of the areas – no marked improvement in humanitarian access. MoS Burt visited Lebanon last week and heard from UN about humanitarian access issues – raised with Russian Ambassador too. UK continues to call on the Syrian regime and its backers to ensure immediate, full and unhindered UN humanitarian access across all of Syria and calls on all parties to adhere to agreed ceasefires and cessations of hostilities, to allow full and unhindered humanitarian access, and to respect international humanitarian law.

People

• Katherine Wilde - November 2017
• Rachael Goodwill - June 2016- June 2017