Security Council Discusses Political and Humanitarian Issues in Syria

The Security Council held a meeting today regarding Syria, where members listened to a briefing from the UN Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, and Joyce Msuya, the Deputy Chief of Humanitarian Affairs. Pedersen stated that after thirteen years of conflict in Syria, and despite a year of new diplomatic efforts, the harsh reality is that all developments are moving in the wrong direction, including security, humanitarian conditions, as well as human rights and economic and political areas. He pointed out that the conflict in Gaza and its regional implications remain a sharp source of concern, emphasizing that de-escalation is necessary, starting with an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons there, adding that de-escalating the conflict in Syria itself is equally urgent. Msuya noted that for 4.2 million people in need in northwestern Syria, cross-border response from Turkey continues to play an indispensable role, stressing that expanding delivery operations across front lines throughout Syria, including to the northwest, remains a top priority.