UN Official warns of rising tensions in Syria, March 10 agreement stalled
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Paolo Sergio Pinheiro, head of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, said on Tuesday that the March 10 agreement between the Syrian authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remains stalled.
In a verbal report to the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Pinheiro highlighted that recent clashes raise concerns over renewed violence, particularly as thousands of Islamic State (ISIS) detainees remain in custody.
He added that confrontations between Druze and Bedouin groups in Suwayda in July 2025 led to the displacement of approximately 200,000 civilians and caused hundreds of casualties. Pinheiro noted that the Syrian Minister of Justice established an independent investigation committee, which has already detained individuals involved in the incidents.
Pinheiro stressed that Syria’s future depends on the integration of all regions and diverse communities into a unified, secure state that respects human rights. Achieving this, he said, requires a sufficiently stable political and security environment to address the roots of grievances and violations.
In a separate point, the UN official reported that Israel intensified airstrikes on Damascus, Homs, and Latakia, causing civilian casualties and destruction. He added that Israel continues to violate Syrian sovereignty and occupies new territories in the south.