Immediate de-escalation and a refocus on a credible political process that respects Syria’s sovereignty is urgently needed, said the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the country during his briefing today to the Security Council, emphasizing that the spillover into Syria of the violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory has already begun.
Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, noted that even before the regional developments, the country was already seeing the worst surge in violence in more than three years, leaving civilians killed, maimed and displaced in higher numbers than at any point since 2020. Detailing a significant intensification of attacks on Government-controlled areas and ongoing attacks by Da’esh, as well as hostilities between Israel and Syria and reports of attacks by Iranian-backed groups, he stressed: “Spillover into Syria is not just a risk; it has already begun.”
“The only antidote would be an immediate de-escalation to stem the tide of violence and to refocus on a credible political process that charts a path forward in a framework that fully respects and restores Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity,” he stressed. The international community must urgently work to reinstate calm, towards a nationwide ceasefire, alongside a cooperative approach to countering Council-listed terrorist groups.
“It is particularly indefensible that Syria seems to be treated as a free-for-all space, in which different actors can settle their scores with one other, with impunity,” he added. He called on all actors to exercise maximum restraint and operate in full compliance with international law. Warning of further instability across a region that is already at a breaking point, he stressed: “We must de-escalate – and de-escalate now – for the sake of Syria.”
Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, pointed to a deepening humanitarian emergency and a serious escalation in hostilities in October in several areas across northern Syria. Over two weeks, from 5 to 18 October, more than 120,000 people were displaced in Idleb and western Aleppo, with hostilities damaging more than 40 health facilities, two dozen schools and more than 20 water systems. Many people will go without the support they need to get through the harsh winter months, she warned, underscoring that 15 million Syrians needed critical humanitarian and protection support in ever more challenging conditions.
In the ensuing debate, speakers voiced concern about the escalating violence in Syria and the spillover into the country and the region of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Several delegates underscored the need to, above all, protect civilians and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, while some, echoing the Special Envoy, urged a nationwide ceasefire and a sustained focus on a Syrian-led solution to the conflict.
Switzerland’s representative, also speaking for Brazil as co-penholders of the Syrian humanitarian file, said a long-lasting ceasefire is the only way to prevent further deaths, injury and human suffering. The parties must allow and facilitate the passage of humanitarian relief, halt attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and guarantee the safety and well-being of the people living in Syria. Echoing other speakers, she voiced concern that the Humanitarian Response Plan remains heavily underfunded and reiterated the need for predictable arrangements to respond to growing needs on the ground.
Syria’s representative, pointing to Israel’s continued aggression in the region, reported that in only 10 days there have been four attacks against two civilian airports in Syria. Objecting to the United States’ unconditional support of Israel and its illegal presence in his country, he said: “It appears that the United States of America afford themselves of the right for their forces to exist anywhere at any time without any approval or consent in full violation of the law.”
He called on the Council to end its silence and condemn Israel’s attacks in his country. He also urged Council members’ sincere political will to end illegal presence on Syrian territory and immediately and unconditionally remove coercive measures against his country. The protection and guaranteed impunity provided to Israel by the United States and some other countries make them partners in the responsibility for serious violations of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, he stressed.
The representative of the United States, countering that assertion, said terrorist groups, some backed by Damascus and Tehran, are threatening to expand the conflict between Israel and Hamas beyond Gaza by using Syrian territory to attack Israel, adding that the Government of Syria allows Hizbullah and Iran to use its airports. She called on the Government of Syria to “stop using the victim card”, stop the flow of fighters in its territory and cease escalatory action in the Golan Heights.
The delegate of the Russian Federation also referred to air strikes by the United States, stressing that the illegitimate action of Washington, D.C., whose economic interests have superseded other interests, is a gross violation of Syria’s sovereignty. The Russian Federation, on the other hand, is targeting the terrorist organization Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which has been dubbed such by many nations in the Security Council, he underscored.
The representative of the United Arab Emirates, on that note, stressed the importance of combating terrorist threats in Syria, and condemned the terrorist attack targeting a military academy in Homs. “It is unfortunate” that the Council did not clearly condemn this attack, he said. Syria, still suffering from the repercussions of a war lasting more than 13 years, cannot afford to become another front for settling geopolitical goals, he said.
Several delegations, including the representative of Gabon, who also spoke for Ghana and Mozambique, urged Damascus to renew authorization for the use of the Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra’ee border crossings before it expires. Aid delivery across the front lines must be increased to supplement cross-border deliveries, he stressed.
Ecuador’s representative was among speakers who called for a reconvening of the Constitutional Committee, in line with Council resolution 2254 (2015). Malta’s delegate, stressing that the Committee must resume its work without delay, emphasized that all players, including the Astana platform and the Arab ministerial contact group, must come together to continue the vital work of finding solutions to this conflict.
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Briefings
GEIR O. PEDERSEN, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, reported that since March 2020, the Syrian conflict has been in a kind of strategic stalemate characterized by static front lines, persistent violence and sporadic escalations, with de facto authorities entrenching their control and five foreign armies present and active. He has long warned that this status quo leaves Syria at risk of drifting into deeper and prolonged fragmentation, he recalled, stressing: “Today, I am sounding an alarm that the situation is now at its most dangerous for a long time.” Pointing to the alarming developments in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the region, he emphasized: “Spillover into Syria is not just a risk; it has already begun.” Air strikes, attributed to Israel, have hit Aleppo and Damascus airports several times temporarily halting the UN’s Humanitarian Air Service which operates from those airports and services Syria’s humanitarian programmes.
Detailing hostilities between Israel and Syria, and the United States’ reports of attacks by groups that it claims are backed by Iran, he said “fuel is being added to a tinderbox that was already beginning to ignite”. Even before the regional developments, Syria was already seeing the worst surge in violence in more than three years, he added, deeply deploring that this violence has already left civilians killed, maimed and displaced in higher numbers than at any point since 2020. Further detailing a significant intensification of attacks on Government-controlled areas, he reported that following a terrorist attack on Turkish Government facilities in Ankara, the north-east has seen one of the largest escalations in years. Meanwhile, Security Council-listed terrorist group Da’esh remains active, continuing its attacks on forces, particularly in Deir-ez-Zor, Raqqa and the central desert region in Homs governorate. All the other sources of pain and instability for the civilian population remain acute as ever, he said, pointing to the worsening Syrian economy, and continued reports of arbitrary arrests, among others.
“The only antidote would be an immediate de-escalation to stem the tide of violence and to refocus on a credible political process that charts a path forward in a framework that fully respects and restores Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, and that enables the Syrian people to realize their legitimate aspirations, in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015),” he stressed. Voicing regret that months of intense efforts have still not yielded consensus on a venue for resuming the Constitutional Committee nor on its substance, he reported that his consultations continue, nonetheless. Moreover, the recent regional developments have temporarily slowed down consultations on proposals to advance step-for-step confidence-building measures, he added, stressing the need to return to them without delay. He will continue to engage with the Syrian Government and Syrian Negotiations Commission, as well as with a wide range of Syrians, including through the Civil Society Support Room and Women’s Advisory Board, with whom he met last week, he said.
Highlighting his four immediate messages to the Council, he stressed that urgent de-escalation within Syria is needed, and the international community must urgently work to reinstate calm, towards a nationwide ceasefire, alongside a cooperative approach to countering Council-listed terrorist groups. All actors – Syrian and non-Syrian – must exercise maximum restraint, he added, noting: “It is particularly indefensible that Syria seems to be treated as a free-for-all space, in which different actors can settle their scores with one other, with impunity.” Further, all actors must operate in full compliance with international law, and all key international actors must keep channels open and cooperate, despite the rising tensions on multiple fronts.
He will continue to prioritize contacts with the Astana, Arab and Western players, individually and collectively, and work to foster joint efforts at de-escalation and advancing the political process, he said, highlighting: “This is the only way to de-escalate the current violence and protect the possibility of a political process to implement resolution 2254 (2015)”. Otherwise, the already-fraying status quo may fully collapse, bringing untold misery to Syrian civilians and radiating further instability across a region that is already at breaking point, he warned, stressing: “We must de-escalate – and de-escalate now – for the sake of Syria.”
EDEM WOSORNU, Director of Operations and Advocacy, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, briefing from Cairo, having spent the past week in several countries in the region, including Syria, said that, while the world’s attention has been fixed on the crisis in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and rightly so, “we must not turn away from humanitarian crises that persist elsewhere, on a vast scale, including in the same region”. The humanitarian emergency has continued to deepen, with several areas across northern Syria experiencing a serious escalation in hostilities this month, representing the most significant escalation in violence since 2019 in north-west Syria. Citing Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) figures, she said that at least 70 civilians had been killed as of 20 October, including 36 women and 14 children. The civilian fatalities span both Government areas – notably in the drone attack on the Homs military academy graduation ceremony on 5 October – and non-Government areas.
Over two weeks, from 5 to 18 October, more than 120,000 people were displaced in Idleb and western Aleppo, she went on, with hostilities also damaging critical services and infrastructure, including more than 40 health facilities, two dozen schools and more than 20 water systems. Air strikes and artillery shelling have continued on a near-daily basis, with reports of more people being killed and injured in the past week – including, alarmingly, a growing number of children, she said. One of those who died in the shelling on 26 October was Sami, a 15-year-old boy who was displaced to Idleb City four years ago, whose father, Nabil, works as a driver for a United Nations partner. He died along with his childhood friend Ali, she said, quoting Sami’s mother, who said that the boys had gathered that day to play football. “We need to be protected from hostilities. We want to live in peace and security,” she told Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ colleagues.
Against the backdrop of worsening insecurity, tens of thousands of displaced persons remain fearful of returning, further adding to the cohort of 2.9 million people already displaced in the north-west, she said, noting that women and girls made up 80 per cent of those in displacement camps and informal sites, where they faced pervasive threats of gender-based violence. Turning to the north-east, she said that a recent spike in hostilities damaged critical civilian infrastructure, including power stations and water facilities, in Al-Hasakah, Qamishli, Tal Tamer and other areas. Disruptions to electricity have impacted water and health facilities, and increased the demand for fuel for generators and heating as winter approaches, she said, noting that the damage had inflated already high fuel, food and commodity prices and placed a heightened demand on overstretched humanitarian services. She echoed the Secretary-General’s urging of all parties across Syria to take care to spare civilians and civilian objects in line with international humanitarian law.
Despite the grave impact of escalating hostilities in the north-west, with three aid workers among those killed, the UN and humanitarian partners continue their critical assistance efforts, she said. Highlighting the indispensability of the ability to deliver assistance at scale across the border from Türkiye, with 251 trucks bringing in critical supplies through the Bab al-Hawa or Bab al-Salam crossing points over the past six weeks, she noted the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ request to the Syrian Government to extend its permission for both crossings beyond 13 November. She also voiced concern over the continued economic crisis – including the steep decline in the Syrian pound and high inflation rates – in Syria, noting that, amid high needs, the country’s Humanitarian Response Plan remained less than 30 per cent funded. Without additional funding, many people will go without the support they need to get through the harsh winter months, she said, underscoring that 15 million Syrians needed critical humanitarian and protection support in ever more challenging conditions.
Statements
LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States), regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas, said that terrorist groups, some backed by Syria and Iran, are threatening to expand the conflict beyond Gaza by using Syrian territory to attack Israel. She said that the Government of Syria allows Hizbullah and Iran to use its airports. She called on the Government of Syria to “stop using the victim card”, stop the flow of fighters in its territory and cease escalatory action in the Golan Heights. Her country will respond to attacks on its own personnel and facilities in Syria, and exercise its right to self-defence, she added. The narrowly targeted attacks on Iranian sites in Syria in October were a response to repeated attacks on United States targets and were an appropriate application of self-defence. At this perilous moment for the region, “the protection of civilians must be at the forefront.” She was outraged by attacks by Damascus or its allies, mentioning Moscow, including recently on a displacement camp in north-west Syria, killing children. She said that no explanation has been given for the attack. The United States is closely monitoring the sustained protest in southern Syria over the last two months, many led by women. She said there needs to be a sustained focus on Syrian-led solution to the conflict and called for continued access for humanitarian aid via Türkiye.
VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation) said that the situation in Syria is extremely tense, also because of the unprecedented spike in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “Over this month, the Israeli armed forces have struck sites in Syria, there were targets such as important civilian facilities, such as the Damascus airport,” he said. Referring to air strikes by the United States, he said that Washington, D.C.’s illegitimate action is a gross violation of Syria’s sovereignty. “Unlike the United States, we are targeting the terrorist organization Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, that has been dubbed such by many nations in the Security Council,” he underscored, adding that in clashes in Syria, the economic interests of the United States have superseded other interests. “On the political track, we still see no alternative to push forward the political process in the Syrian Arab Republic,” he said, urging the need to continue direct inter-Syrian dialogue, the main forum for which is and will be the Constitutional Committee whose fundamental decisions must be taken by the Syrians themselves.
HAROLD ADLAI AGYEMAN (Ghana), also speaking for Gabon and Mozambique, condemned the 5 October attack on a graduation ceremony in Homs and expressed concern that retaliatory attacks have turned northern Syria into “a hotbed of armed hostilities”. Emphasizing that serious protection concerns have arisen within the context of escalating violence, he called for an immediate, nationwide ceasefire to create a conducive environment for the political process to commence. For that, the parties must maintain strong cooperation with and support the efforts of the Special Envoy and, further, breaking the current deadlock in the small body of the Constitutional Committee will constitute a significant step towards a lasting political solution to the conflict. He went on to express concern that – amid this escalating violence – Syria continues to come under repeated attacks from various foreign forces, urging respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity along with the full withdrawal of such forces.
“Another issue of major concern,” he noted, is the recent mutual shelling between militants in Syria and the Israel Defense Forces over the Golan Heights. Given the current dynamics in the Middle East, these attacks – if left unchecked – raise the prospect of a dangerous escalation with grave consequences for global peace and security. Turning to the humanitarian situation – where funding shortages compel humanitarian agencies to “choose between the hungry and the starving” – he urged the international community to provide support to “ease the pains of the needy population”. Further, he called on the parties to work closely with the UN to create a safe, secure environment for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid through all modalities. Urging the Syrian Government to renew authorization for the use of the Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra’ee border crossings before it expires, he added that aid delivery across the front lines must be increased to supplement cross-border deliveries.
FRANCESCA MARIA GATT (Malta) urged winterization support for nearly 6 million internally displaced Syrians, as well as greater resourcing of the Syrian Humanitarian Response Plan. The humanitarian crossings at Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra’ee remain a critical lifeline for millions of the most vulnerable civilians in the north-west, she stressed, calling for the authorization of each of these crossings to be renewed for as long as the needs persist. The momentum which has built towards the reconvening of the Syrian Constitutional Committee must be maintained and the body must resume its work without delay, she added, emphasizing that all players, including the Astana platform and the Arab ministerial contact group, must come together to continue the vital work of finding solutions to this conflict. This must be accompanied by meaningful, coordinated reciprocal and verifiable actions related to the “step-for-step” initiative. She called once again for a nationwide ceasefire in Syria and for parties to refrain from further action which could tip the region into greater calamity.
PASCALE CHRISTINE BAERISWYL (Switzerland), also speaking for Brazil, said that a long-lasting ceasefire is the only way to prevent further deaths, injury and human suffering. The parties must allow and facilitate the passage of humanitarian relief, halt attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and guarantee the safety and well-being of the people living in Syria. It is worrisome that the Humanitarian Response Plan remains heavily underfunded, limiting the ability of the United Nations and its partners to support the affected population. She trusted that authorization for the Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra’ee border crossings will be renewed, and reiterated the need for predictable arrangements to respond to growing needs on the ground.
Speaking in her national capacity, she said that the current situation is further hampering efforts to relaunch the political process. Detailing the ways in which security situation has deteriorated in recent weeks, she called on all parties to establish a national ceasefire and to ensure the protection of civilians. All parties must respect – and ensure respect – for international humanitarian law and the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in the conduct of hostilities. It is vital to remain attentive to civil society, she said, adding that the implementation of confidence-building measures, including the release of detainees and the clarification of the fate of missing persons, are essential to pave the way for reconciliation.
ALBANA DAUTLLARI (Albania) reiterated that only a political solution can end the suffering in Syria, further ensuring that justice is served for those responsible for war crimes, enforced displacement and torture. The reassumption of cross-border aid into north-west Syria from Bab al-Hawa, although positive, is not enough; the other crossings of Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra’ee should be extended beyond their deadline and the continuation of life-saving aid guaranteed. Noting the plight of innocent children, she voiced concern over intense and systematic artillery and missile attacks by the regime in north-west Syria, which have added an extra layer of misery for ordinary Syrians. Calling for the national ceasefire to be respected, she warned that the situation in the Middle East “has brought dark clouds for regional peace and also for the future of Syria”.
SHINO MITSUKO (Japan) warned of the risk of regional spillover of the situation in Israel and Palestine, citing reports of exchanges of cross-border fire in the Golan Heights and strikes on the Damascus and Aleppo international airports – the “largest escalation of hostilities in Syria in four years” according to the UN Commission of Inquiry. “The latest violence only worsens the already dire humanitarian situation in Syria,” she stressed. Noting that the Syrian Government’s consent for the use of the Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra’ee border crossings expires in November, she voiced hope that it will be extended. On the political situation, she noted that Syria’s rejoining the League of Arab States (LAS) has sparked hope for a realistic path towards peace and stability; however, she stressed the need for the Government to participate meaningfully and in good faith.
BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom), noting that short-term, last-minute agreements are inappropriate, said that cross-border access should be granted for 12 months across the three UN points. Emphasizing that her country is a top humanitarian donor to Syria, pledging up to $180 million in 2023, she expressed concern that 17 per cent of every dollar is being lost to the “regime who manipulate exchange rates to their benefit”. She also voiced concern over Iran-affiliates militia activity and hostilities between Israel and militia groups in southern Syria, stressing that, thus far, attempts at normalization have not borne fruit. Pointing out that insecurity persists, the Captagon trade continues, and the return of refugees remains out of reach, she added: “We will not engage Damascus without evidence of genuine, consistent behaviour change.” Further, she expressed support for convening a meeting, with the Syrian parties alone, if necessary, in Geneva later in 2023.
HERNÁN PÉREZ LOOSE (Ecuador) rejected the violence imperiling civilian lives, echoing the Secretary-General’s call on all parties in Syria to commit to bringing the escalation of hostilities to an end. The escalating hostilities are hampering the political and economic situation, he said, extending his condolences over the violence in Damascus and Aleppo, which claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians, including children. Ecuador supports the Special Envoy’s efforts towards a negotiated solution, alongside the Astana platform and LAS. As well, he voiced support for actions aimed at bringing about a ceasefire, voicing concern about the disrupted progress towards reactivating the Constitutional Committee, in line with Council resolution 2254 (2015). Voicing concern that 15 million Syrians required humanitarian assistance to survive, he urged donors to fund the country’s Humanitarian Response Plan, and voiced hope that the expiring authorizations for border crossings in the north-west will be renewed.
GENG SHUANG (China) called for every effort to be made and for maximum restraint to prevent the expansion of the Hamas and Israeli conflict. He hoped countries outside the region would uphold objectivity and impartiality and help to bring calm. He urged a political solution to be found in Syria, in a process that is Syrian-led and Syrian-owned. All parties should strengthen dialogue and look to narrow their differences. He supported greater Arab solidarity and cooperation to give impetus to a political solution. Terrorist activity in Syria must be combatted, through support for the Syrian Government to stop it. He opposed external forces interfering in Syria’s affairs, the undermining of its stability and looting of its national resources. He called for donors to provide more funding to address the humanitarian situation. Unilateral sanctions have weakened Syrian reconstruction and must be lifted, without delay and without conditions, he said.
NATHALIE BROADHURST ESTIVAL (France) said that the situation in Gaza risks a regional conflagration but the spillover that would plunge the region into a war with incalculable consequences for all people is not inevitable. “The opening of a new front against Israel in Syria would further destabilize the country and the Syrian population would once again be the primary victims,” she stressed, adding that the Syrian regime’s bombardments in the Idlib region are unjustifiable. She said that the resumption of the delivery of humanitarian aid to north-west Syria is good news but this aid remains insufficient. “This is a source of major concern, in particular with the onset of winter, while 5.7 million people need humanitarian assistance,” she emphasized, urging the Syrian regime to unconditionally renew in November its authorization for the two crossing points of Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra’ee, as humanitarian access must be safe and unhindered.
MOHAMED ISSA ABUSHAHAB (United Arab Emirates) stressed that tensions growing in the occupied Syrian Golan and neighbouring areas over past weeks “confirm the urgent need to address the various crises in our region, including the Syrian crisis”. Syria, still suffering from the repercussions of a war lasting more than 13 years, cannot afford to become another front for settling geopolitical goals. He therefore stressed the importance of de-escalating, of ensuring a nationwide ceasefire and of refraining from targeting vital facilities to avoid hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid. Also stressing the importance of combating terrorist threats in Syria, he condemned the terrorist attack targeting a military academy in Homs. “It is unfortunate” that the Council did not clearly condemn this attack, he added. He went on to underscore that the deteriorating economic situation demands that the international community explore ways to boost Syria’s economy – which, in turn, would improve the humanitarian and living conditions of the country’s people.
SÉRGIO FRANÇA DANESE (Brazil), Council President for October, speaking in his national capacity, and associating himself with Switzerland in their capacity as co-penholders on the Syrian humanitarian file, said that since hostilities between Israel and Hamas began, Syria has been affected more than once, with a real risk of a regional spillover from that conflict. All sides must act with restraint and comply with their obligations under international law, he said, emphasizing that there is no military solution and that the Syrian people cannot afford further losses. He encouraged all parties to work towards the resumption of the UN-facilitated political process, concurring with the Special Envoy that “the status quo in Syria is unsustainable”. Without a political path aimed at implementing resolution 2254 (2015), the situation in Syria risks deteriorating, with detrimental effects for the region. “Diplomacy and true political will must be given a true chance,” he added.
ALHAKAM DANDY (Syria), pointing to Israel’s continued aggression in the region, reported that in only 10 days there have been four attacks against two civilian airports in Syria, which has halted the operations of two airports and have hindered UN humanitarian operations. He called on the Council to end its silence and uphold its responsibility and condemn those attacks and hold perpetrators accountable. The protection and guaranteed impunity provided to Israel by the United States and some other States make them partners in the responsibility for serious violations of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, he stressed. Terrorists continue their crimes, he added, detailing a targeted attack at a graduation ceremony of the military academy in Homs. He pointed to the United States’ blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity through its illegal military presence on his country’s territory as well as its support for separatist militias in the north-east. Moreover, the United States and the European Union continue their unilateral coercive measures, he added.
Nonetheless, Damascus continues to improve cooperation with the United Nations, including through issuing necessary permits to carry out their operations throughout Syria, he continued, adding that it has approved the use of three border crossings and two cross-lines within its territory. Noting that the entry of assistance through the Bab al-Hawa crossing was delayed for longer than two months and only one convoy has entered the cross line into the areas requiring assistance, he emphasized the need to bring pressure to bear on terrorists in Syria. The Humanitarian Response Plan has been only 29.3 per cent funded, he pointed out, stressing the need for long-term solutions and less reliance on assistance. Syria continues every effort to facilitate the return of refugees and to cooperate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He urged Council members’ sincere political will to end Israel’s repeated attacks and the illegal presence on Syrian territory, immediately and unconditionally remove coercive measures against his country and support Syria and its institutions. Donors must uphold their pledges and early recovery projects increased, he added.
“It appears that the United States of America afford themselves of the right for their forces to exist anywhere at any time without any approval or consent in full violation of the law.” Further pointing to that country’s unconditional support for Israel and impeding the work of the Council to protect the Palestinian people, he said they have supported the Israel war machine through its carriers and military aid, in addition to financial aid in the amount of billions of dollars.
AMIR SAEID IRAVANI (Iran) voiced regret that, 12 years into the Syrian crisis, terrorism remains a significant and persistent threat, with its core activities concentrated in regions outside the control of the Syrian Government. In this context, he voiced concern over terrorist activities in the areas under occupation, pointing out that the illegal presence of the United States military forces represents the primary source of insecurity facing the country. The fight against terrorism must be carried out in full respect of Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, without using it as a pretext to violate these fundamental principles of international law. Condemning the 4 October terrorist attacks targeting the graduation ceremony at the military academy in Homs, he regretted that the Council exhibits “political double standards” in refusing to condemn such heinous crimes. He went on to condemn Israel’s “continuous acts of terrorism” in Syria, which deliberately target civilians and vital infrastructure “while concurrently carrying out war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip”. As well, he deplored the use of “Caesar sanctions” amid Syria’s severe humanitarian and economic crisis. On the political front, he voiced support for the resumption of the meetings of the Constitutional Committee, with the UN playing a supportive role, and the process being under Syrian leadership and ownership. He went on to refute the unfounded allegations levelled against his country by the delegate of the United States, which attempt “to shift the blame from the culprit to the victim and put the finger on Iran”. Tehran’s anti-terrorism efforts in Syria are at the request of Damascus, unlike the “unlawful” presence of the United States, which violates the Charter of the United Nations.
CEREN HANDE ÖZGÜR (Türkiye) said conditions remain dire in north-west Syria and increasing attacks in the Idlib area by Government forces affect crucial services. Humanitarian access is imperative, she added. She noted that aid shipments had been disrupted after this year’s earthquakes in the region and said that going forward Damascus and the Council have important responsibilities to eliminate risks to aid access. She expects the continued use of crossing from Türkiye into Syria for aid, which is especially crucial over the winter months, and she said that the international community and the Council should be ready to step in if needed to ensure this. She expressed Ankara’s concern about the low amounts of funding for cross-border assistance to Syria and called for more. On the Syrian conflict, she said the root causes of it are political. Syrians still have unmet political demands 12 years after the war started, she noted. She added that Syria is not immune to risks of expansion of the Israel-Hamas conflict and awareness is needed to prevent this. She called for the international community to revitalize the Syrian political process and to create the conditions for safe and voluntary return of Syrian refuges. She called for a reactivation of the Constitutional Committee as soon as possible to bring Damascus and its opponents together. It is a building block without which there can be no reconciliation. The opposition should not be sidelined, she said. She added that currently the biggest threat to the territorial integrity of Syria and its prosperous future are terrorist organizations in Syria, including PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] and PYD [Democratic Union Party], which threaten Türkiye’s national security, using Syria’s territory to attack it.
