UN spox says NE Syria faces “highest concentration of needs”
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Monday the region of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) continues to face “some of the highest concentration of needs in Syria.”
He stressed that humanitarian access, security, and economic recovery must remain top priorities amid growing concerns of a possible aid shutdown.
Speaking to Rudaw, Dujarric emphasized that the region—commonly known as Rojava—remains “a top priority for humanitarian response,” noting that assistance must be paired with efforts to “enhance security and economic recovery” for its residents.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that the Northeast Syria region relies heavily on cross-border and cross-line assistance, and that any disruption—whether due to political disputes or security developments—could severely impact millions of civilians.
In past years, the UN Security Council has struggled to renew mechanisms allowing cross-border deliveries into Syria, leaving the AANES vulnerable to aid gaps.
The region faces compounded crises, including Turkish military escalation, economic collapse, and ongoing ISIS sleeper-cell activity.
On the relationship between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian transitional government, the UN official underscored that “the government in Damascus has a responsibility to protect all of its people, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or anything else.”
The UN, Dujarric noted, “continues to work with the government to help them in that effort.”
Dujarric also said that any existing understandings between the SDF and Damascus should be “upheld” by all parties, amid growing political and military tensions across the northeast.
The March 10 agreement between the SDF and Damascus—intended to integrate security, administrative, and service institutions and guarantee Kurdish political rights—has seen slow and uneven implementation in recent months.
North Press reports that joint committees formed to oversee the process have struggled with political disputes, particularly over the status of SDF forces, the handover of border crossings and oil fields, and the timetable for administrative integration.
Damascus has accused the SDF of delaying key obligations, while SDF officials say bureaucratic obstacles and continued Turkish threats complicate progress.
In recent weeks, new SDF delegations traveled to Damascus to revive stalled discussions. Despite renewed meetings, major provisions remain incomplete, leaving the agreement fragile amid rising regional tensions.