NEW YORK CITY: The UN’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, told the Security Council on Thursday that the situation in the country remains “deeply fragile,” with a ceasefire in Sweida under growing strain and political tensions on the rise.
He urged the international community to renew its efforts to protect civilians, ensure accountability, and support a Syrian-led political process that is capable of delivering lasting peace.
Marking the anniversary of the 2013 chemical weapons attack in Ghouta, carried out by the forces of former President Bashar Assad, Pedersen described the occasion as “a painful reminder of the suffering endured by Syrian civilians, and of the grave abuses and violations of international law that must never be repeated.”
He urged council members to help Syria “emerge from a dark past toward a brighter future.”
The July 19 ceasefire agreement in Sweida has so far prevented a return to open conflict following a spike in violence, Pedersen said, but he warned that the peace remains tenuous.
“We are still seeing dangerous hostilities and skirmishes on the margins of Sweida and violence could resume at any moment,” he said.
“Absent more tangible and binding measures, including to build confidence, the ceasefire risks remaining fragile — an interim truce rather than the foundation for lasting stability.”
He welcomed the creation by the US, Jordan and Syrian authorities of a trilateral working group to support the truce. However, he cautioned that “a month of relative military calm belies a worsening political climate, with escalatory and zero-sum rhetoric hardening among many.”
He also condemned ongoing Israeli ground operations in southwestern Syria, despite a pause in airstrikes.
“Such actions are unacceptable,” Pedersen said. “We must insist on full respect for Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”
The humanitarian cost of unrest, he added, remains severe, with more than 186,000 people displaced in Sweida, Daraa and rural Damascus. Access to affected areas is limited as a result of insecurity and road closures, and widespread damage to infrastructure compounds the suffering.
Referring to reports of abuses during fighting in Sweida last month, including a video that appeared to show the execution of an unarmed man in a hospital, Pedersen said it was “essential” that the conclusions of a fact-finding committee’s investigation into such violations “are made fully public and that all perpetrators — regardless of affiliation — are held responsible.”
He called on all sides to combat divisive rhetoric and build a shared national vision, adding: “Security forces must demonstrate that they are acting solely to protect all Syrians and do not constitute a threat.”
To avoid future violence, Pedersen stressed the need for comprehensive reforms of the security sector, including disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed factions. He praised efforts by the new Syrian authorities to counter Daesh and Al-Qaeda but emphasized that “continued vigilance” remains critical.
On the political front, Pedersen noted a decree that was issued on Wednesday for indirect elections to appoint two-thirds of the 210 members of an interim People’s Assembly. The remaining 70 will be appointed by the president. For this process to succeed, he said, it must be transparent, inclusive and allow the participation of all major groups within Syrian society, not only “trusted individuals,” and include the “equal and visible” representation of women.
“Anything less,” he warned, “would entrench skepticism, aggravate the forces pulling Syria apart, and impede reconciliation.” He called for dialogue with all communities, including those critical of the interim authorities.
Pedersen also voiced concern about stalled efforts to implement the March 10 agreement between the interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces for the integration of the latter into state institutions, citing in particular recent flare-ups of violence in Aleppo.
“We hope that reported further contacts between interim authority officials and SDF representatives can be cemented into real compromise,” he said.
He also underscored the role of civil society in the political transition process, and the important need for women to play a significant part.
“Syrian women continue to stress the necessity of meaningful political participation,” Pedersen said, while acknowledging the risks and pressures they face.
Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian chief, echoed Pedersen’s concerns and warned that “the humanitarian crisis is not over.” He said 16 million Syrians remain in need of support, a situation he described as “dire.”
UN teams are managing to provide life-saving aid to about 3.5 million people a month, despite funding shortfalls and access challenges, he revealed.
“Our humanitarian appeal for 2025 is only 14 percent funded,” Fletcher said, warning that budget cuts could reduce humanitarian staffing levels by 40 percent. Already, he noted, “16 percent of health facilities have suspended or reduced capacity.”
He welcomed recent sanctions-relief measures announced by the US, EU and UK, but said it will take time to feel the full effects of this.
“We need investment in longer-term support for development and reconstruction that will allow the people of Syria to reduce, and ultimately end, reliance on humanitarian aid,” he said.
“With funding and access, we aim to no longer be needed.”
Fletcher concluded his remarks with a direct appeal to members of the Security Council: “The people of Syria do not need us to be commentators and problem-observers. They need us to move with genuine urgency, generosity and purpose.”
