As Regional Violence Spills over to Syria, Special Envoy, Briefing Security Council, Urges De-escalation, Refocus on Country’s Political Process
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....
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https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15470.doc.htm
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