Top envoy calls for immediate de-escalation in Syria, ‘only antidote’ to conflict

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau

UNITED NATIONS, 31^st Oct. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Monday warned that civilians there are facing the “terrifying” prospect of a potential wider escalation given the uptick in violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

 

Pedersen briefed the members of the Security Council, said Syria had been in a “strategic stalemate” since March 2020 with the brutal conflict now marked by static front lines, persistent violence, and sporadic escalation in fighting.

He told the delegates that de facto authorities are strengthening control, while foreign armies remain active.

Pedersen warned the lack of a meaningful political process has led to growing instability and violence, making the situation now highly dangerous.

He stated that in addition to the internal conflict, Syria faces the alarming possibility of a wider escalation in violence widens since the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas.

“Spillover into Syria is not just a risk; it has already begun,” he said.

He cited the recent airstrikes, attributed to Israel, that have hit Aleppo and Damascus airports several times, temporarily halted the UN’s Humanitarian Air Service operations from there.

Syria has experienced its worst violence surge in over three years, resulting in civilian casualties, injuries, and infrastructure damage. Government-controlled areas have seen intensified attacks, including unclaimed attacks on a military academy in Homs and rocket attacks by extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, leading to civilian casualties.

He noted that bombardment from the Government side in the northwest has meanwhile reached levels reminiscent of the pre-2020 conflict, displacing over 120,000 civilians and caused damage to critical services and infrastructure.

The northeast Syria has witnessed a significant escalation following a terrorist attack in Ankara, with Turkish strikes and and civilian casualties.

The terrorist group ISIL remains active, carrying out attacks on various fronts, he stated.

Mr. Pedersen said Syrian civilians have endured significant suffering: a worsening economy, degraded infrastructure, reports of arrests and rights abuses, no progress on those detained and missing individuals, and unsafe conditions for refugee returns.

“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,” he stressed.

Mr. Pedersen warned the international community against complacency, noting that “the already-fraying status quo may fully collapse.”

“We must de-escalate and de-escalate now, for the sake of Syria,” he urged.

Edem Wosornu, the Director of Operations and Advocacy at UN humanitarian aid coordination office, OCHA said the serious escalation in hostilities in the north had had a deep impact on humanitarian workers and operations, particularly in the northwest.

She said three aid workers were killed, and many organizations were forced to temporarily suspend their operations.

Edem Wosornu said hostilities have damaged critical services and infrastructure, over 40 health facilities, two dozen schools and some 20 water systems; and temporarily affected the main power station in Idlib.

She said, the Syria Humanitarian Response Plan is less than 30 per cent funded, and without additional funding, OCHA fears that many will go without the support they need to get through the harsh winter months.

“This is a deeply concerning time for the region and indeed for the world”, she told ambassadors, briefing from Cairo. Her trip to the region also included a visit to Syria.

“But with more than 15 million people in need of critical humanitarian and protection support in ever more challenging conditions, the situation in Syria is one that unquestionably demands our continued focus and action”, she concluded.