Baroness Cox questions on Syria to the UK government

Baroness Cox: Three written questions on Syria to the UK Government during December 2020:

1) Baroness Cox: Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Syria: Sanctions. Asked 14 December 2020

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the government of the United States' special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, on 9 December that sanctions against Syria have been a “very effective strategy”.

Answered 24 December 2020 By Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative, Life peer)

US Sanctions are a matter for the US government. The UK has imposed sanctions on Syria to end the violent repression of civilians in Syria. These sanctions send a clear message to the regime and its supporters, that we will not stand by whilst the regime continues to commit serious human rights abuses. We continue to impose sanctions on those responsible in order to maintain pressure for a political settlement to end the conflict. (Original Source UIN HL11401)

2) Baroness Cox: Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Syria: Sanctions. Asked 14 December 2020:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the government of the United States' special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, on 9 December, what discussions they have had with that government about whether its objectives in Syria include (1) the denial of territory, and (2) resources to, the government of Syria.

Answered 23 December 2020 By Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative, Life peer)

HMG regularly discusses the situation in Syria with the US administration. On 22 October the Foreign Secretary and US Secretary of State, along with foreign ministers of other likeminded countries, issued a joint statement that made clear our support for a political solution to end the conflict, as set out in UN Security Council Resolution 2254. That statement once again reaffirmed our shared position that such a solution must preserve the territorial integrity, unity, and sovereignty of Syria. We will continue to use targeted sanctions to increase pressure on the Assad regime to engage seriously with the political process. (Source: UIN HL11402)

3) Baroness Cox: Question for Ministry of Defence Syria: Military Intervention: Asked 14 December 2020

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many members of the British Armed Forces were in Syria on the latest date for which figures are available; and what is the mission of such deployment.

Answered 21 December 2020 By Baroness Goldie (Conservative, Life peer)

UK Armed Forces continue to play a leading role in the Global Coalition to defeat Daesh. The UK has around 1100 military personnel committed to counter-Daesh operations across the Middle East. (Original Source UIN HL11403)