Scale of need in Syria is at its highest level – Pedersen
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian people are still trapped in humanitarian, political, military, security, economic and human rights crises, Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria said on Wednesday.
Pedersen said in a briefing to the UN Security Council, “The Syrian people remain trapped in a profound humanitarian, political, military, security, economic and human rights crisis of great complexity and almost unimaginable scale.”
He noted that the scale of need in Syria is at its “highest level” since the conflict began in 2011.
Syria records poverty, food insecurity, and basic services shortage, in addition to an economic crisis, he added.
He re-called for calm in Syria, bona fide engagement in Syria’s stalled Constitutional Committee process, and the humanitarian support of Security Council.
He stressed that “a nationwide ceasefire” is essential to resolving the conflict.
Several actors participate in the ongoing shelling, bombardment and clashes that take place on all contact lines, he added.
On November 20, 2022, the Turkish air force launched intense airstrikes on all Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)-held areas on the Syrian-Turkish border as Turkish forces continue to target areas and Syrian government forces’ posts in the region and carry out drone attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
On Jan. 18, heavy clashes occurred south of Idlib between government forces and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front).
The two parties exchanged intense artillery fire as both reinforced their positions in the region.
In addition, Islamic State (ISIS) remains active in Syria, targeting both military personnel and civilians.
ISIS has been remarkably active in recent week. It has published videos showing its militants swearing allegiance to their new caliph (leader) and claiming responsibility for attacks against SDF, the government forces and local tribal leaders.
He stressed, “The picture remains as dire as ever.”
The special envoy also urged Syria’s Constitutional Committee to resume and make more essential progress to end the conflict.
He also praised the UN “unanimous adoption” of Resolution 2672 on Jan. 9, reauthorizing cross-border aid mechanism to Syria for six months.