Summary
Monika Schmutz-Kirgös, head of the Middle East and North Africa division at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA), discusses current crises in Syria, Gaza, and Iran in an SRF daily discussion. While she shows cautious optimism toward Syria's new transitional president Al-Sharra, she warns of the danger posed by the Islamic State (IS). On President Trump's Gaza peace plan, she emphasizes the need for Hamas disarmament, while on the Board of Peace she calls for careful international legal analysis. Regarding Iran, she expresses deep concern about unprecedented violence against protesters and warns of possible death penalties.
People
Topics
- Syrian ceasefire and Kurdish question
- Humanitarian aid and civilian population
- Islamic State and prison escapes
- Gaza peace plan and Hamas disarmament
- Trump peace council (Board of Peace)
- Iran crisis and demonstrations
- Swiss foreign policy in the Middle East
Detailed Summary
Syria: Ceasefire and Ongoing Negotiations
The situation in Syria remains fragile, but there is reason for cautious optimism. A ceasefire between the Syrian government and the Kurdish militia has been extended. Schmutz-Kirgös emphasizes that communication channels remain open and daily negotiations take place – a Kurdish delegation recently met with new transitional president Al-Sharra in Damascus.
The speed with which the transitional government army conquered northeastern Syria was surprising, with the exception of three predominantly Kurdish cities. However, Schmutz-Kirgös views Al-Sharra's steps so far toward the inclusion of minorities positively: he has explicitly offered rights to the Kurds and promised that all ethnic and religious minorities will have a place in a future Syria – a promise that never existed under the former Assad regime.
Switzerland emphasizes its clear position: all Syrians must have a place in a new state. This message is conveyed directly to Syrian politicians and meets with a positive response.
Humanitarian Aid: Switzerland Has Supported Since 2017
Switzerland has operated a humanitarian office in Damascus since 2017 and was the first country to provide humanitarian aid on the ground during the Syrian civil war. Currently, two humanitarian corridors are being co-financed – one through the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and one through OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs).
The population in the north is suffering massively: displaced persons have no homes, no access to food, and urgently need humanitarian assistance. Schmutz-Kirgös had a personal connection to this suffering – as ambassador to Lebanon, she experienced the 2020 explosion in Beirut harbor, in which over 2000 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded, killing more than 200 people and injuring 1000. She herself was injured by the blast wave and describes it as a near-death experience that troubled her for a long time.
The Islamic State: Prison Escapes and European Danger
A critical problem is the escape of IS fighters from Kurdish prisons in northeastern Syria. The transitional government accuses the Kurdish Democratic Forces (KDF) of opening the prisons; the KDF in turn blames the transitional government. Schmutz-Kirgös confirms: many prisoners were able to escape, but many were also recaptured.
This poses a threat to Europe. Switzerland has four to five IS sympathizers in the camps – three men and a woman with a child, all still detained. Their stay is closely monitored. A male Swiss national wants to return to Switzerland, but this has been rejected so far for security reasons. A Federal Council decision from 2019 currently prevents a return.
Conditions in the camps are difficult. Schmutz-Kirgös had the ambassador for Syria visit the camps and confirms: "This is not a five-star hotel." The future perspective of these individuals is unclear, especially since the camps are now being guarded by the transitional government rather than the Kurdish forces.
Gaza: Peace Plan, Phase 2, and Disarmament
President Trump's 20-point peace plan completed the first phase with the recovery of the last Israeli hostages. Phase 2 now begins, aimed at the disarmament of Hamas – something Hamas strictly rejects.
Switzerland supported the plan immediately, both in personnel and financially. The Federal Council approved an additional 23 million francs on November 26 for humanitarian aid to the suffering civilian population in the Gaza Strip. Swiss experts work at the CMCC (Center for Military and Civil Coordination) in southern Israel – up to five people, both civilian and military – to support the implementation of the peace plan.
The impact of the plan is measurable: while the conflict previously claimed hundreds of deaths daily, it has been approximately 550 Palestinian civilians per day since the ceasefire in October – still too many, but a clear decline. More goods are reaching the Gaza Strip, but more than half are commercial goods, not humanitarian aid.
Hamas disarmament remains problematic. Switzerland has decommissioning experts on the ground, but there are still Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip. Schmutz-Kirgös admits: "I don't think it's easy to disarm Hamas now."
A technocratic Palestinian transitional administration is to take over governance in the Gaza Strip, with representatives from Ramallah. They were initially not allowed to enter, but should now be able to do so with the handover of the last hostages.
Board of Peace: Switzerland Reviews with Caution
President Trump has established a global Board of Peace, which he presented among other places in Davos. Switzerland is invited to participate but is reviewing carefully.
Schmutz-Kirgös emphasizes that there are concerns under international law and the board's charter has several unclear points: originally, the board was supposed to address Gaza and the Middle East, but these are not mentioned in the charter at all. Instead, the board now has a global focus with questions about Ukraine and Russia.
She humorously quotes the Swiss Federal President: "No stress, it took 50 years for Switzerland to become a member of the UN." The thorough analysis is underway but should be completed soon – not in 50 years, Schmutz-Kirgös emphasizes with a wink.
Iran: Disproportionate Violence and Regime Stability
Iran is under enormous pressure. President Trump has threatened military interventions, and the USA has sent several aircraft carriers to the region. However, what is new is that the Gulf States have made clear that US operations cannot take place over their territory and they are not available for further interventions.
The Iranian government has suppressed demonstrations with unprecedented violence. Schmutz-Kirgös speaks of over 6000 identified deaths, with possibly up to 7000 unidentified bodies. Iranian human rights organizations estimate over 20,000 deaths. Over 30,000 people have been arrested. Switzerland is concerned about possible death penalties, although the Iranian foreign minister said under pressure from the US President that none have currently been imposed.
Schmutz-Kirgös summoned the Iranian ambassador and Switzerland expressed its concern – particularly regarding the death penalty, against which Switzerland advocates "again and again." The ambassador responded with the usual Iranian narrative: many of the deaths were security forces, and Mossad as well as the CIA had armed terrorists.
Despite the brutality, the Iranian regime still sits relatively firmly in the saddle. The Supreme Leader controls the Revolutionary Guard, which is said to control up to 70% of GDP, and can rely on the Basij militia with over a million men – all were involved in suppressing the demonstrations.
A regime change is not to be expected in the near future. Although there are increasingly more demonstrations at shorter intervals