UN: Syria's fragile situation requires strengthening accountability, protecting coexistence

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs said that the Syrian people continue to affirm their “deep-rooted belief in peace, stability, prosperity, and justice,” one year after the fall of the Baathist regime, adding that hopes and expectations are high, while “the challenges ahead are immense.”

In her briefing yesterday before the UN Security Council to hear from the mission that returned from Syria, Rosemary DiCarlo stated that Syrians have returned home in large numbers, including more than one million refugees and nearly two million internally displaced persons. She noted that many countries have lifted bilateral sanctions imposed on Syria, including the repeal by the US Congress of the Caesar Act.

Sectarian tensions

However, the UN official stressed that the situation on the ground remains fragile, despite a noticeable decline in levels of violence, noting that “years of conflict, decades of repressive rule, and human rights violations have exacerbated tensions along sectarian lines.”

She referred to events on the Syrian coast and in Suwayda, as well as tensions between the forces of the transitional government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. She said that in many cases, hate speech and disinformation campaigns have fueled “conflict and fear among communities,” pointing to continued reports of extrajudicial executions and kidnappings “targeting specific communities, including Alawites.”

She said: “The United Nations unequivocally condemns violence. We urge that transparency remain a key element in the investigations launched by the authorities into these incidents, and that perpetrators be held accountable.”

DiCarlo added that work to address the past and pursue reconciliation has begun, but that much remains to be done, noting that “international encouragement and expertise can complement national efforts to support peace, justice, and accountability.”

Factors exacerbating the security situation

She also pointed to Israeli airstrikes and incursions in the south of the country that have worsened the security situation, and called on Israel to refrain from violating Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. She said that resuming dialogue between Syria and Israel on security arrangements is critical, as is strong international and regional engagement in this regard.

She also highlighted the continued local, regional, and international focus on counterterrorism efforts in Syria, amid ongoing concerns about “the presence of foreign terrorist fighters and the return of ISIS.”

She added that the proliferation of conventional weapons and challenges related to stockpile management constitute an additional security challenge, and that landmines and unexploded ordnance “continue to kill and maim Syrians on a daily basis.”

She said: “All of this underscores the need for the political transition to be accompanied by a Syrian program for security sector reform, disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration.”

Dealing with the past

DiCarlo said that genuine recovery cannot begin without comprehensive accountability for the past, including addressing the fate of the missing, ensuring accountability for atrocities, and “confronting the horrors of war without compromise.”

She added that inclusive dialogue among all components of Syrian society, genuine national reconciliation, the lifting of sanctions, and sustained international support will be essential for the security of Syria and the region, as well as for restoring investor confidence and laying the foundations for reconstruction.

Reducing needs and the humanitarian operation

For her part, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya said that the success of the transitional phase in Syria will depend on many measures, foremost among them reducing the level of needs “in a crisis that was considered one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world,” as well as downsizing the humanitarian operation in the country.

She said that the current moment has given Syria “an opportunity to reduce these needs once and for all,” but that achieving this quickly and at scale requires three key requirements from the international community:

1. Effective diplomacy to de-escalate tensions, resolve existing conflict hotspots, and prevent the outbreak of new clashes that undermine stability.

2. Supporting investments in development that build on the “notable steps” Syria has taken toward reintegration with the international community, which is critical for recovery and reconstruction.

3. Supporting the sustainability and expansion of humanitarian aid flows in the near term to meet the persistently high needs.

UN aid reaches millions

She said that mobilizing tangible, targeted development financing and rebuilding trust in Syria’s legal, financial, and security environment will be crucial to reducing humanitarian needs. At the same time, she said that enhanced cooperation with Syrian authorities has expanded access and made humanitarian operations more efficient.

She confirmed that the United Nations has been able to reach 3.4 million people per month, an increase of 25 percent over last year, despite declining funding levels. However, she said that with the 2025 humanitarian appeal funded at only 30 percent, “there are millions more people we cannot assist.”

She expected needs in Syria to remain immense in the coming year and stressed that “without reversing the trend of declining funding, more people will be left behind, and the task of recovery will become more difficult.”

She added: “It is rare for a crisis the size of Syria to have such an opportunity for transformation. The past year has provided a reason for optimism that compels us to double our efforts. We must seize this opportunity.”

A-H 

ANHA