VP/HR — Detention of officers who advised terrorist groups in Aleppo

10.1.2017

Question for written answer E-000078-17
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Javier Couso Permuy (GUE/NGL)

According to news reports, 14 Coalition officers from the USA, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Israel, Jordan and Morocco were arrested in a secret bunker in Aleppo on 16 December 2016.

The officers had been providing military advice to the armed extremist groups which operated in eastern Aleppo, before the Syrian army drove them out with the assistance of the Russian air force.

The Syrian authorities say that detailed information enabled them to locate and arrest the foreign army officers at their secret headquarters in a basement in Aleppo.

The UN Security Council has met behind closed doors, and thus far the governments whose officials were detained have remained silent on the issue, as have the US and European media.

1. Is the EU aware of the above military operation, which violates international agreements?

2. What steps will the EU take, given that military officials from the EU were among those advising the terrorist groups?

3. What is the EU’s stance on the incident? Will there be penalties or official reprimands for the Member States involved?