UN urges immediate action on escalating Syrian crisis
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria, expressed grave concern and called for urgent action to address the deteriorating security, economic, and humanitarian conditions in Syria.
These concerns were raised during the recent UN Security Council meeting held on August 23 in the UN headquarters in New York.
Pedersen noted to the severity of the situation, stating, “The Syrian people continue to suffer acutely from the conflict in all its dimensions. Syria cannot fix its economy while it is in a state of conflict.”
He stressed the importance of a political solution led by the Syrian parties themselves, saying “the only path out of this is a political process that involves the Syrian parties themselves, in line with resolution 2254 (2015).”
“It is a simple fact of Syria that no one actor or group of actors can determine the outcome of the conflict or bring about the kind of steps needed for a political solution to emerge,” he said.
Pedersen drew attention to the sharp devaluation of the Syrian pound and the soaring prices of essential goods, significantly burdening the population.
Syria’s Representative, Bassam Sabbagh, raised crucial concerns during the meeting, saying the Turkish military forces destabilize the situation and pose significant challenges for Syria’s recovery.
He also highlighted the adverse effects of measures imposed by the UN and the US, noting “The illegal unilateral coercive measures imposed by the European Union and the United States have further exacerbated the economic hardships faced by the Syrian people.”
The discussions within the Security Council reflected differing viewpoints on the conflict, including condemnation of foreign intervention and the pernicious effects of Western sanctions, while others emphasized the necessity of a Syrian-led political settlement supported by the United Nations.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous call for an immediate nationwide ceasefire and the resumption of the Constitutional Committee’s meetings, underscoring the urgent need for action to address the escalating crisis in Syria.
US Representative, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, underscored that the Syrian conflict radiates instability across the region, with millions unable to return and the “regime” facilitating drug trafficking.
She noted that Syrians will not return home while they are at risk of being drafted into the Syrian army, tortured or forcibly disappeared.
Thomas-Greenfield further affirmed that United States sanctions will remain in place until there is measurable progress towards a political solution.