EU Governments ‘Deeply Embarrassed’ by Daesh Fall in Syria: German Analyst

“The European governments are already now deeply embarrassed by the events in Syria. They and their mainstream media outlets were wrong in literally every little detail about the war. At the same time they didn´t just support terrorist forces in Syria, they also ‘fetched the war to Europe’,’’ Manuel Ochsenreiter, the director of German Center for Eurasian Studies, told Tasnim.

“Terrorism and violence came to the European continent – and the responsible people for that are sitting in the European governments,” he added.

Following is the full text of the interview.

Tasnim: On Nov. 18, the Syrian army and its allies seized full control of Al-Bukamal, Daesh’s last significant town in Syria. The army had declared victory over Daesh in Al-Bukamal earlier this month but the terrorists then staged a counter-attack using sleeper cells hidden in the town. But it was retaken in another major offensive. What’s your take on this?

Ochsenreiter: Albu Kamal is now again liberated by the SAA. But the difficult battle in and around the city is a reminder that IS still seems to have resources and the will to fight – despite the desperate military situation of the terrorist group. Even after an official victory against IS we all – in the Middle East and in Europe – might have to deal with terrorist actions by IS fighters.

Tasnim: Major General Qassem Soleimani, who commands the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), on Nov. 21 declared the collapse of the Takfiri terror group in Iraq and Syria. What’s your prediction for the region in the post-Daesh era?

Ochsenreiter: IS and similar terrorist groups benefit from instability and chaos. The sooner the governments of Syria and Iraq can establish a stable order in those areas the better. In Syria, already now refugees are returning to their homes in former terrorist controlled zones what is a very good sign. In general: The less influence the West – Washington and Brussels – have in a post-war era in the region, the better for its future stability.

Tasnim: The secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement said recently that despite US claims about fighting terrorism, it spared no effort to help Daesh forces in Al-Bukamal. “The US helped Daesh as much as it could in Al-Bukamal short of directly engaging forces that fought to liberate the town from Daesh,” the Hezbollah leader said. What are your thoughts on this? What is your take on Iran’s role in this?

Ochsenreiter: The events in Syria proofed within the last years very well that the West´s “war on terrorism” is a bogus claim. At the same time US and Europe label Hezbollah as “terrorist group” while it is the contrary. We can say, the Western governments are the representatives and supporters of terror and chaos in the region, while Iran and Hezbollah – but also Moscow – were fighting terror and chaos. Tehran can be seen as one of the most important stabilization powers in the region.

Tasnim: What will be the consequences of a re-established Syria for Europe?

Ochsenreiter: The European governments are already now deeply embarrassed by the events in Syria. They and their mainstream media outlets were wrong in literally every little detail about the war. At the same time they didn´t just support terrorist forces in Syria, they also “fetched the war to Europe”. Terrorism and violence came to the European continent – and the responsible people for that are sitting in the European governments. It is quite possible that while in Syria and Iraq peace and order are re-established Europe will suffer even more under terrorist violence.