United Nations: Syrias political transition remains crucial amidst the country's compounding humanitarian, security, and environmental challenges, top UN officials told the Security Council today, emphasizing the need to bridge the woefully underfunded humanitarian response and enable progress from relief to recovery.
According to EMM, Syrias transition has been rocked this past month by violence and escalation that led to mass casualties, drained trust, and created more dangers of fragmentation, declared Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria. He stressed the necessity of major course corrections on security and the political transition. Pointing to the outbreak of violence in Sweida, which saw unacceptable foreign intervention, he outlined the events beginning with mutual kidnappings on 12 July that escalated into armed local clashes.
Recent violence has displaced an estimated 175,000 people, underscoring Syria's status as one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, Edem Wosornu from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs pointed out. She called for the protection of people in conflict areas, including aid workers, and for safe access to medical care and humanitarian relief. Despite some aid reaching Sweida, humanitarian access remains constrained.
The Syrian humanitarian situation is compounded by wildfires in Lattakia, displacing over 1,100 people, and the worst drought in 36 years. Wosornu highlighted the need for continued investment in the humanitarian operation, noting that only 12 per cent of this year's $3.2 billion aid request has been funded. She welcomed steps to ease sanctions and a World Bank grant to support electricity supply, urging momentum to translate into tangible support for Syrians.
During the Security Council discussion, several speakers welcomed the ceasefire in Syria, thanking regional partners for their efforts. Concerns were raised about Israeli military activity in Syria, with calls for accountability and an end to foreign interventions. China's representative demanded Israel's withdrawal from the Golan, occupied Syrian territory, while Greece's delegate called for inclusivity and reconciliation.
The Russian Federation urged independent investigations into recent violence and called for prioritizing vulnerable minority communities. Humanitarian support must be consistent and depoliticized, said Pakistan's representative, urging support for Syria's economic recovery.
The need for an inclusive political transition was emphasized by Norway's Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide. He called for international support to ensure a successful transition, despite the odds. The Republic of Korea's representative called for an inclusive electoral system representing all Syrians.
Other discussions centered on the security situation, with Panama's representative underscoring the need for a unified force under the rule of law. The United States delegate announced the end of the broader Syria sanctions program while maintaining targeted measures against destabilizing actors.
Regional voices, including those from Iran and Tunisia, deplored foreign interference and Israeli aggression, calling for justice through credible mechanisms free from political manipulation. Trkiye condemned unprovoked Israeli attacks, emphasizing the need for de-escalation.
The Syrian delegate welcomed the lifting of sanctions, highlighting the grave humanitarian situation worsened by recent wildfires. He supported recommendations for creating an independent national human rights institution and stressed turning the page on sanctions.