Israel talks up sectarian partition in Syria

Israeli defence minister says the partition of Syria into smaller states, such as Alawistan, Syrian Druzistan and Syrian Kurdistan, will be a preferable solution to a truce.
2 min read
15 February, 2016
Israeli defence minister says 'sectarian partition' is the best option for war-torn Syria [Getty]
Israeli defence minister expressed on Sunday reservations over the implementation of a temporary truce in Syria, stating that a sectarian partition of the country may be preferable.

A temporary "cessation of hostilities" in Syria is set to come into force within a week as agreed during a diplomats gathering in Germany on Friday.

Moshe Yaalon expressed his pessimism over the international ceasefire plan.

"Unfortunately we are going to face chronic instability for a very, very long period of time,” the Israeli defence minister said at the Munich security conference

"And part of any grand strategy is to avoid the past, saying we are going to unify Syria. We know how to make an omelette from an egg. I don't know how to make an egg from an omelette."

"We should realise that we are going to see enclaves, Alawistan, Syrian Kurdistan, Syrian Druzistan. They might cooperate or fight each other," he added.

Meanwhile, the director-general of Israel's intelligence ministry said a partition will be the "only possible solution".

"I think that ultimately Syria should be turned into regions, under the control of whoever is there," Ram Ben-Barak told Israel's Army Radio.

A 17-nation Syria Support Group, co-chaired by Russia and the US, agreed on Friday to seek a "cessation of hostilities" within a week and dramatically ramp up humanitarian access to besieged towns.

Critics have said the deal is hobbled by the fact it does not include "terrorist" groups such as the Islamic State group and the al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra, leaving room for Russia to continue attacks by claiming it is targeting extremists.

The agreement followed a major offensive by Syrian government forces, backed by heavy Russian bombing and Iranian troops, on the rebel stronghold of Aleppo.