United Nations: ceasefire in Syria is an urgent requirement

Syria is facing a wave of violence not witnessed since 2020, according to a warning by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria, included in a report issued today.

Committee Chairman Paulo Pinheiro said: “Since October, Syria has witnessed the sharpest escalation of fighting in four years. Given the turmoil the region is witnessing, a determined international effort to contain the fighting within Syrian territory remains an urgent matter. In Syria as well, a ceasefire is an urgent requirement.”

He added: “The Syrian people cannot afford any intensification of this devastating, protracted war. More than 90% are currently suffering from poverty, the economy is witnessing a complete collapse in light of the tightening of sanctions, while the increasing spread of lawlessness leads to harmful practices and extortion armed forces and militias.

The fighting in Syria has worsened since October 5, following a series of explosions during the graduation ceremony of military college students in the city of Homs, which led to the killing of at least 63 people, including 37 civilians, and the injury of dozens.

Since the beginning of the war on Gaza, tensions have intensified between Israeli, Iranian, and American forces, leading to increased fears about the expansion of the conflict. It was reported that Israel, at least 35 times, struck sites and forces allegedly linked to Iran, and also targeted Aleppo and Damascus airports, which led to a temporary suspension of vital humanitarian air services to the United Nations.

It was also reported that pro-Iranian groups targeted American military bases in northeastern Syria more than 100 times. The United States of America responded through air strikes directed against pro-Iranian groups located in eastern Syria.

In Idlib, the Turkish occupation mercenaries, led by the "Tahrir al-Sham" mercenaries, continue to commit acts amounting to torture, ill-treatment and illegal deprivation of liberty, in light of reports of executions based on summary sentences coupled with charges including sorcery, adultery and murder.

The report pointed out that, in light of all these conditions, Syrians are facing unprecedented difficulties. 16.7 million people inside Syria remain in need of humanitarian assistance, which is the highest number of its kind since the beginning of the crisis.

The Committee will submit its final report prepared under its mandate to the Human Rights Council on March 18.

T/Satt.

ANHA