EU Parliament condemns violence in NE, Syria, urges lasting ceasefire

The European Parliament, during its plenary session in Strasbourg, adopted a resolution on the situation in northern and eastern Syria, strongly condemning acts of violence against civilians, warning of a severe deterioration in the humanitarian and security situation, and emphasizing the urgent need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire that paves the way for an inclusive political transition in the country.

The Parliament expressed concern over the recent military escalation in northern and eastern Syria, particularly in Aleppo, Raqqa, Hasakah, and Deir ez-Zor, noting the offensive launched by the Syrian Interim Government forces on 6 January 2026 and the subsequent expansion of military attacks, which resulted in civilian deaths, the displacement of approximately 148,000 people, and extensive damage to critical infrastructure.

The resolution highlighted that the fighting has caused dozens of civilian casualties and left hundreds of thousands without electricity, water, or healthcare, warning that around 250,000 people in Kobani alone face severe humanitarian risks. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimated that more than 170,000 people have been internally displaced in the affected areas.

The European Parliament condemned documented violations of international humanitarian law, including “extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, desecration of bodies and cemeteries, and obstruction of humanitarian aid access,” calling for independent and swift investigations and urging the Interim Government to allow full and transparent access to UN mechanisms, including the International Independent Investigative Commission on Syria.

The Parliament welcomed the agreement announced on 30 January 2026 between the Syrian Interim Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, considering it an important step toward consolidating the ceasefire and ensuring civil and educational rights for Kurdish communities, while urging all parties to adhere to it and prevent any new escalation.

Regarding the regional role, the resolution called on all parties, including Turkey, to refrain from any military actions or support for armed groups that could undermine the ceasefire or endanger civilians, condemning the continued Turkish military intervention in northeastern Syria and attacks on civilians and infrastructure.

The Parliament also expressed deep concern over the fate of detained ISIS mercenaries, warning of the security risks posed by the escape of hundreds during recent fighting and the transfer of the problem to third countries without sustainable solutions. It stressed that the presence of EU citizens among the detainees imposes a direct responsibility on member states to repatriate and prosecute them according to international justice standards, particularly women and children in the al-Hol and al-Roj camps.

The Parliament underscored the crucial role played by Kurdish forces, including female fighters, in combating ISIS, praising their sacrifices and demanding full recognition of Kurdish community rights, political participation, and the protection of women and their rights.

The resolution emphasized that any European support for reconstruction or stabilization in Syria must remain conditional on tangible and verifiable progress in protecting civilians, respecting human rights, and adhering to the ceasefire, noting that the European Union remains one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, with a commitment to continue conditional support for a peaceful and inclusive transition.

In conclusion, the Parliament called on the European External Action Service and member states to intensify diplomatic efforts to reduce escalation, protect civilians, build trust, and support an inclusive political process led by Syrians themselves, preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and ensuring lasting peace and stability.

ANHA