New York: A senior UN official has raised alarms over the potential impact of regional escalation on Syria, which is navigating a critical political transition following the collapse of the Assad regime last December and nearly 14 years of civil war. UN Deputy Special Envoy Najat Rochdi addressed the Security Council, warning that Syria cannot endure another wave of instability.
According to United Nations, Ms. Rochdi emphasized that the risks of further escalation in the region are immediate and severe, threatening to undermine the fragile progress toward peace and recovery in Syria. Her briefing included updates on ongoing engagements with senior officials in Damascus, such as interim foreign minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, focusing on international relations and the importance of an inclusive political transition for all Syrians.
The discussions highlighted the need for a coordinated approach with newly established committees on transitional justice and missing persons. Ms. Rochdi welcomed the presidential decree announcing a supreme committee for elections to the new People’s Assembly, a key step in the transition.
Turning attention to the northeast, Ms. Rochdi discussed the 10 March agreement between interim authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate the Kurdish-led group into the national army. She stressed the importance of moving negotiations forward with compromise to implement the agreement, which is crucial for restoring Syria’s sovereignty and unity.
However, sporadic violent incidents persist in regions like Homs and Hama, including attacks on specific communities. Ms. Rochdi noted that while these incidents are not systematic, they present challenges for interim authorities in controlling certain groups.
The southwest experienced Israeli artillery fire and airstrikes in response to rocket fire from Syria. Ms. Rochdi condemned these actions, urging respect for Syria’s sovereignty and prioritization of diplomacy.
Amid these challenges, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with three-quarters of the population requiring aid. UN deputy relief chief Joyce Msuya highlighted the threats posed by unexploded ordnance and a worsening cholera outbreak, exacerbated by the region’s worst dry spell in decades.
Despite these conditions, nearly 600,000 people have returned to Syria in the past six months. The UN continues to support international economic measures to aid Syria’s recovery and urges more funding to meet humanitarian needs, as only 13% of the required funding for the year has been received.