Austrian Arab Friendship Society: Western sanctions exacerbate the suffering of those affected by the earthquake in Syria

Vienna (ST): The Austrian-Arab Friendship Association confirmed that the Western sanctions imposed on Syria have exacerbated the suffering of those affected by the earthquake.

The association’s president, Fritz Aidlinger, in his weekly bulletin said: “The current situation has become more difficult because of the sanctions imposed by the United States and Western countries.”

Edlinger explained that “regardless of the direct consequences of the earthquake, it is necessary to implement what the United Nations Special Rapporteur Alina Dohan proposed last year to lift all unilateral sanctions on Syria, which have now exacerbated the situation in Syria greatly as a result of the earthquake.”

For her part, the German journalist and expert on Middle East affairs, Karen Wakefield, called for aid to be provided to the afflicted following the earthquake disaster.

Wakefield in an interview with the Austrian-Arab Friendship Society said: “The recent earthquake exacerbated the dire situation in Syria after more than 11 years of war that harmed the country and its people,”  adding: “Immediate and extensive international assistance is necessary.”

K.Q.