Country: Syrian Arab Republic Source: UN Security Council 9967th Meeting* (AM)SC/16130Syria’s political transition remains crucial, amidst the country’s compounding humanitarian, security and environmental challenges, top UN officials told the Security Council today, underscoring the need to bridge the woefully underfunded humanitarian response and enable progress from relief to recovery.“Syria’s 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, stressing: “It is clear that some major course corrections on security and the political transition are needed.” Pointing to the “appalling outbreak of violence in Sweida — violence that should not have happened, and which also saw unacceptable foreign intervention” — he outlined the events that took place, beginning with mutual kidnappings on 12 July that escalated into armed local clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze groups.While an initial ceasefire was announced, endorsed and then collapsed, fresh accusations of violations emerged, with disturbing footage circulated of extrajudicial executions, degrading treatment, desecration of corpses, looting and destruction of property, alongside widespread disinformation and sectarian incitement. “The first, dramatic round of fighting saw hundreds of casualties among security forces, Druze fighters — and most tragically among civilians, particularly Druze,” he stated.As the fighting raged, Israeli air strikes targeted Syrian security forces and Bedouin armed elements in the southern city of Sweida and attacked a Ministry of Defense building, causing casualties among civilians and security forces, he went on. While another ceasefire was declared on 19 July, leading to a fragile de-escalation, the situation remains volatile, he said, condemning the appalling violations against civilians and combatants in Sweida, as well as Israel’s intervention and air strikes in Sweida and the capital, Damascus.Voicing concern over credible reports received by the UN Human Rights Office and his office that indicated widespread violations and abuses perpetrated by members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the authorities, he took note that the Committee for Investigation and Fact-Finding into the coastal events submitted its report to President Ahmed al-Sharaa. “We have not seen the report and are aware of a range of reactions to the public presentation of it,” he said, urging authorities to publish the document and ensure accountability for perpetrators, regardless of affiliation.Turning to the country’s political transition, he underscored that Syrians’ concerns about centralized power, limited transparency and insufficient means for genuine public consultation must be addressed. As well, he called for the forming of a People’s Assembly, noting his engagements with President al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al Shaibani and the Supreme Committee for Elections to urge an inclusive, transparent and representative process. Ahead of the planned formation of the partially elected Assembly in September, he underscored the need for inclusion, particularly in areas where disputes remain with the authorities, emphasizing: “The Syrian political transition simply cannot fail.”Estimated 175,000 People Displaced by Recent Violence“Recent weeks have provided a stark reminder that Syria is not just one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, but also subject to violence and climatic shocks that compound the country’s needs,” Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy Division of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stressed, pointing out that the recent violence has displaced an estimated 175,000 people.Citing reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) that confirmed the killing of two doctors and the obstruction and targeting of ambulances, she called for the protection of people — including aid workers — caught in areas of violence, and for safe access to medical care and humanitarian relief. While several convoys bearing aid have reached Sweida, humanitarian access remains constrained, she said, detailing her Office’s engagements with partners and interim authorities to gain direct access to As-Sweida as soon as security conditions allow.$3.2 Billion Humanitarian Aid Request Only 12 Per Cent FundedAs the violence in the south erupted, vicious wildfires in the coastal governorate of Lattakia displaced more than 1,100 people and destroyed agricultural land, she went on to say. Highlighting the emergency response by the UN and partners, through a $625,000 allocation from the Syria Humanitarian Fund, she noted that the fires were exacerbated by the worst drought-like conditions Syria has seen in 36 years. Against this backdrop, she called for continued investment in what remains a large-scale and vital humanitarian operation, pointing out that only 12 per cent of this year’s $3.2 billion request for Syria has been received.Welcoming developments including steps to ease unilateral sanctions and the World Bank’s announcement of a grant to support electricity supply, she stressed the need for such momentum to be translated into tangible support for Syrians, “which will allow us to move faster from humanitarian relief to recovery”.Calls for Accountability, End to Foreign InterventionsIn the ensuing discussion, many speakers welcomed the ceasefire in Syria, with Hamish Falconer, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, thanking the United States and regional partners for their efforts in securing it. He was among several speakers voicing concern over Israeli military activity in Syria, warning it is in no one’s interest and risks tipping Syria into deepening instability. “Now is the time to rebuild trust,” he added, a view espoused by the delegates of Slovenia and Denmark,with the latter stating, “a prosperous, stable and safe Syria is in the interest of the whole region”.China’s representative, also condemning Israeli strikes, reaffirmed that “the Golan is occupied Syrian territory” and demanded Israel’s withdrawal. Welcoming Syria’s commitment to investigate violations, he joined speakers calling for “transparent, credible and responsible” accountability, a point also echoed by the speaker for Greece, who called for inclusivity, reconciliation and protection of all communities.Humanitarian Needs to Be AddressedThe representative of the Russian Federation, also calling for “independent, impartial and transparent” investigations into the recent violence in Sweida and on the coast, urged the UN to prioritize vulnerable minority communities and called for a UN interagency mission to assess humanitarian needs on the ground.“Humanitarian support must be consistent and depoliticized, sufficient not only to meet immediate needs, but to help rebuild essential systems over time,” said Pakistan’s representative, Council President for July, speaking in his national capacity, and urging support for Syria’s economic recovery.Peace Key to Advancing Political TransitionAlgeria’s delegate, also speaking on behalf of Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia, welcomed the announced ceasefire and urged all parties to implement it in good faith, stressing that “agreements are only as effective as their implementation”. Expressing support for the Special Envoy’s role in supporting a Syrian-led, UN-facilitated political process, he called on international actors to avoid turning Syria into “an arena of confrontation”.France’s delegate, focusing on the political front, called for the accelerated implementation of the 10 March agreement between the Syrian transitional authorities and representatives of the Syrian north-east to peacefully restore Syria’s unity. “France will be doing everything within its power to facilitate contacts on this issue,” he said, adding that his country will soon be hosting discussions in Paris between the parties to forge progress towards an agreement.On the electoral front, the Republic of Korea’s representative called for an electoral system that genuinely represents all Syrians, ensuring every sect has the right to choose their representatives and their voices are reflected in the law-making process. “We hope the supreme electoral committee will announce in due course an inclusive electoral system that does not leave any minorities or areas behind,” he said, urging it to leverage the UN’s technical expertise and incorporate UN guidance into its planning.Espen Barth Eide, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway, also underscored the need for an inclusive political transition where “all Syrians are represented, protected and empowered”. Stating that “there is hope” in the country, despite many odds, including decades of dictatorship and over a decade of war, he called on the international community to support the country and ensure a successful transition.Security Concerns and SanctionsPanama’s representative, voicing concern about the security situation in the country, underscored the urgent need to establish a single professional unified force under the rule of law and responsible for the use of force amidst the proliferation of non-State armed actors and the fragmented security structures. Interim authorities must firmly address the persistent threat posed by foreign fighters and terrorist groups still operating in Syria, including remnants of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), he added.Also on that topic, the United States’ delegate noted President Donald J. Trump’s executive order ending the broader Syria sanctions programme while maintaining targeted measures against destabilizing actors. Announcing the revocation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s terrorist designation following its reported dissolution, she urged the Council to adjust sanctions to support Syria’s stabilization and counterterrorism efforts.Regional Voices Deplore Foreign InterferenceIran’s delegate was among several regional speakers calling on the Council to reject Israel’s dangerous and destabilizing agenda aimed at detaching Syria’s southern provinces from the authority of the central Government. Addressing the recent sectarian violence, he called for justice through credible mechanisms, free from foreign interference and political manipulation.The representative of Tunisia, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, also rejected all forms of foreign interference and imposed agendas. Taking aim at the “brutal Zionist aggression” on Syrian territory, including recent bombings in Damascus that harmed civilians, he accused the “occupying Power” of exploiting Syria’s internal unrest to incite sectarian division and demanded full withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan.The representative of Türkiyejoined speakers in condemning unprovoked Israeli attacks on Syria, which took that country’s disregard for law and State sovereignty to new heights. De-escalation and Israeli non-aggression must be ensured, he said, calling for sustained support to Damascus.Syrian Delegate Welcomes Lifting of SanctionsFor his part, Syria’s delegate joined calls on the Council to condemn Israeli attacks on his country. Citing recent letters and statements presented by his delegation to the Council, he called on Israel to withdraw its forces from areas it has occupied in the previous month and end its occupation of the Golan, in line with international law, including Council resolutions 242 and 338 (1967), as well as 497 (1981). Voicing regret about the “painful, bloody incidents” in Sweida, he outlined his Government’s measures to alleviate the humanitarian fallout, including multiple entry access approval facilitating aid convoys. However, security threats continue, he said, pointing to the recent kidnapping of a humanitarian worker and government workers coming under sniper fire.Highlighting other developments, including the findings and recommendations of the Committee for Investigation and Fact-Finding into the coastal events, which recommended “momentous” measures, including the creation of an independent national human rights institution, he voiced concern over the grave humanitarian situation in his country, worsened by the recent wildfires. In this context, he underscored the need to “definitively turn the page” on sanctions on his country, welcoming the United States’ delegate’s remarks on the topic.__________* The 9966th Meeting was closed.For information media. Not an official record.