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Irish Delegation‘s 2018 syria Trip Under Scrutiny: funding, Meetings, and Ethical Concerns
A 2018 trip to Syria by Irish TDs Catherine Connolly, Maureen O’Sullivan, Mick Wallace, and Clare Daly, ostensibly a “fact-finding mission,” is facing renewed scrutiny regarding its funding, the individuals met, and potential legitimization of the Assad regime amidst a brutal civil war. While Connolly maintains the trip reinforced her opposition to war and dictatorship, questions persist about the narrative presented and the implications of engaging with figures linked to alleged war crimes.
A War-Torn Nation
In June 2018, when the Irish delegation travelled to Syria, the country was entering its seventh year of a devastating civil war.president Bashar al-Assad’s regime, backed by military support from Russia and Iran, controlled key urban centers like damascus and Aleppo. Opposing forces included ISIS, Islamist militias, pro-democracy rebels, and Kurdish secessionists.The Assad government faced widespread condemnation in the West for war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons, targeting of civilian infrastructure, and systematic torture. The UN Human Rights Office estimates that 306,887 civilians – 1.5% of Syria’s pre-war population – were killed between March 2011 and March 2021.
Organizing the Journey
The question of who organized the trip has been a recurring point of contention. Connolly stated to RTÉ’s News at One on October 13th that the trip was arranged by a group of community activists, including Dublin-based Rita Fagan. Earlier, on RTÉ’s This Week on August 26th, Connolly stated that the trip was organised by the “Irish Solidarity Campaign”. The campaign, which raised €3,000 to cover the costs of the trip, has links to the Irish-Syria Solidarity Movement (ISSM). The ISSM, in turn, has been accused of being a pro-Assad propaganda outlet. The delegation’s travel costs were estimated at €7,000, with the remaining funds reportedly used for accommodation and translation services.
Yarmouk and Aleppo: Witnessing the Devastation
The delegation visited Yarmouk, a Palestinian refugee camp near Damascus that had been largely destroyed by years of fighting. Once home to over 160,000 Palestinians, Yarmouk became a battlefield as the Syrian civil war intensified.Residents faced starvation and disease as the camp was besieged and used as a weapon of war, with residents resorting to desperate measures for survival. ISIS infiltrated the camp in 2015, controlling a meaningful portion until assad regained control in May 2018, just prior to the Irish delegation’s arrival.
In Aleppo, the group met with Sister Brigid Doody, a Salesian nun who had lived in Damascus for decades.they were also given a tour by Fares Al-Shehabi, head of the Aleppo Chamber of Industry, who had been under EU sanctions as 2011 for providing economic support to the Assad regime.
controversial Meetings and Accusations of Legitimacy
The delegation’s meetings have drawn significant criticism. Connolly stated she was “shown around by Palestinians” in Yarmouk and that individuals “came up and spoke to us as openly as they could within a dictatorship.” However, reports indicate the delegation was accompanied by Saed Abdel Al-Aal, head of the FPM, a pro-Assad group.Connolly admitted she was unaware of Al-Aal’s background at the time, stating it was beyond her control who approached them. Her campaign also acknowledged being shown around Yarmouk by members of the PFLP-GC, a designated terrorist association by the EU.
Photographs circulating on social media, posted by the Irish-Syria Solidarity Movement (ISSM), appear to show members of the Irish delegation with Al-Aal in Yarmouk. The ISSM argues that these photographs “legitimised and endorsed” individuals implicated in crimes against Palestinian refugees.
Adding to the controversy, Al-Shehabi, the Aleppo Chamber of Industry head, had previously tweeted a disturbing message calling for the death of Bana al-Abed, a young Syrian girl who documented the situation in Aleppo on Twitter. Connolly acknowledged that, in retrospect, Al-Shehabi is “utterly unacceptable” to her.
The Trip’s Legacy
Connolly maintains the trip “empowered” her and strengthened her voice for peace. She later questioned than-Tánaiste Simon Coveney in December 20
