'Syria’s humanitarian crisis has only deepened': UN Special Envoy

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Published Jun 22, 2024

Security Council briefing by Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy for Syria, on the situation in Syria.

The UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said that the tensions in the region need to be urgently de-escalated, “starting with the immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza” and that “we equally plainly need urgent de-escalation inside Syria.”

Briefing the Security Council today (27 Feb) on the situation in Syria, Pedersen noted, “This month, we have seen further spillover effects from regional conflict. Multiple airstrikes attributed to Israel, including on residential areas of Homs and Damascus, reportedly resulted in both civilian and military casualties.”

He added, “Meanwhile, all other vectors of the Syrian conflict itself continue, and remain the biggest cause of civilian casualties and displacement.”

He continued, “A year after the devastating earthquakes in Syria and Turkiye that killed thousands and displaced millions, Syria’s humanitarian crisis has only deepened.”

On a good note, he reported the Syrian Government’s recent extension of its authorization for the UN to use the Bab al-Hawa (until 13 July 2024), Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra'ee (until 13 May 2024) border crossings.”

Pedersen stated, “I know very well that international attention is focused on multiple other crises. But there might also be a sense in some quarters that the conflict is easier to just manage and far too difficult to solve. Such thinking is mistaken.”

He concluded, “Regional spillover is only the latest accelerant to a conflict that is growing in complexity with each passing year. The situation is worsening on almost all indicators and the status quo is unsustainable and unmanageable.”