Syria’s special envoy voices concern on military escalation in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Monday, Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, voiced concern over recent military escalation by multiple combatants in Syria, confirming that civilians are the only victim of the escalation.
In a briefing to the UN Security Council, Pedersen said, “A ceasefire would also require parallel efforts to address the presence of listed terrorist groups…in line with international law.”
“We need a political process that moves steadily forward,” he added, stressing that at present time there is none.
Turkey escalates shelling of northeastern Syria, leading to a huge wave of displacement and claiming the lives of civilians, including children, in addition to targeting posts of government forces.
Since May 23 Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced plans to carry out a major military cross-border incursion into northern Syria. He specified his targets in the two northern Syrian cities of Manbij and Tel Rifaat.
In turn, Syrian government forces shell multiple areas targeting Turkish-backed Syrian armed opposition factions, known as Syrian National Army (SNA).
On August 19, the government forces targeted the city center of al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, killing 14 people and wounding 33 others.
Pederson said that there are some challenges that prevent implementing the UN Resolution 2254, for a Syrian-led peace process.
The Special Envoy added that the UN will work on building confidence with “paying special attention to the detained, the abducted and the missing.”
“The degree of fragmentation in Syria, the region and internationally – and deficits of trust and will – are preventing us from doing what needs to be done – addressing this conflict in a comprehensive manner, with serious compromise and investment, involving all players,” he added.
Pederson considered this as the only way to reunite Syria and its people and to restore “Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, to end the displacement crisis and to allow the Syrian people to chart their own future.”