The French newspaper L’Express has underscored the significance of the Caesar Act, which imposes sanctions on individuals or entities engaging in investments in Syria, as the primary deterrent against the potential return of Bashar al-Assad to the international stage. The report also highlights ongoing legal actions against the Assad regime in Germany, France, and before the International Court of Justice.
According to the newspaper’s report, Bashar al-Assad does not appear supportive of the large-scale return of millions of Syrian refugees. It suggests that Assad may turn a blind eye to the drug trade, primarily managed by his brother Maher and Tehran-affiliated militias.
The newspaper notes that after 12 years of conflict, Assad is seeking to regain a foothold in the international arena with the assistance of neighboring countries. It observes that he is being recognized once again as a head of state by his Arab counterparts, despite his expulsion from the Arab League in 2011.
The report highlights the ongoing repression of opposition figures across the country, with northwest Syria, under the control of revolutionary and opposition forces, still facing bombardment by the forces of the Assad regime and Russia.
In response, the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) has emphasized the imperative nature of strictly enforcing international sanctions against the Assad regime and its supporters. It stressed the need to focus on the economic entities that the regime relies on to evade these sanctions.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
