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Pedersen stressed the need for an inclusive political transition in his speech to the UN Security Council in order to address the ongoing crises and preserve stability in the war-torn nation.
Pedersen voiced serious concerns about recent clashes between Kurdish fighters and Turkish-backed forces, cautioning that if sustained intervention is not provided, the situation could get worse.
Significant fighting has been going on for the past two weeks before a ceasefire was mediated. Now that the five-day ceasefire has ended, I am extremely worried about reports of military escalation,” he said, adding that more escalation could have disastrous results.
In order to fulfill the ambitions of all Syrians, defend their rights, and give them the freedom to choose their own, democratic destiny, the UN Security Council reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive, Syrian-led political process.
The call coincides with global divisions as the United States and Russia, a crucial ally of the Assad regime, have different ideas about Syria’s future.
Pedersen also demanded that Israel stop all settlement operations in the Golan Heights, which are occupied by Syria. He underlined that helping Syria’s economy recover and dealing with the country’s deteriorating humanitarian situation would require the lifting of sanctions.
“An end to sanctions would be key to assisting Syria and addressing its economic collapse,” he remarked.
In a development offering temporary relief, the United States announced an extension of the ceasefire between Turkish-backed fighters and Syrian Kurds in the flashpoint town of Manbij.
Initially brokered for five days, the ceasefire has now been extended to the end of the week, preventing an immediate escalation of hostilities.
Pedersen also said he had met with Syria’s new de facto leadership following the rebels’ lightning takeover, and toured the infamous Sednaya prison’s dungeons and torture and execution chambers, operated under Assad’s government.
He called for “broad support” for Syria and an end to sanctions to allow for reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.
“Concrete movement on an inclusive political transition will be key in ensuring Syria receives the economic support it needs,” Pedersen said.
– Humanitarian needs –
“There is a clear international willingness to engage. The needs are immense and could only be addressed with broad support, including a smooth end to sanctions, appropriate action on designations, too, and full reconstruction,” Pedersen added.
Western countries are wrestling with their approach to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the takeover of Damascus, and has roots in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda.
It has largely been designated in the West as a terrorist group, despite moderating its rhetoric.
The UN’s new humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned that the seismic changes on the battlefield in Syria had done nothing to alleviate the dire situation facing the country’s people.
“Nearly 13 million people were facing acute food insecurity. The recent escalation has only added to these needs. More than a million people were displaced in less than two weeks,” he told the Security Council.
Fletcher also confirmed he had met Syria’s new rulers and was “pleased to report that they have committed to what will be an ambitious scaling up of vital humanitarian support.”
He also raised the alarm over the intensifying violence in the country’s northeast, warning of “its potential humanitarian fallout” and saying it was a “case for concern and warrants urgent attention and efforts for de-escalation.”
Pedersen noted Israel had conducted more than 350 strikes on Syria following the departure of Assad’s government, including a major strike on Tartus.
“Such attacks place a battered civilian population at further risk and undermine the prospects of an orderly political transition,” he said.
US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield welcomed Assad’s overthrow, but warned against the re-emergence of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS.
“This is a historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better life after more than a decade of conflict and corruption. Their needs are extensive, and the United States is committed to mobilizing global support,” she said.
“There is a strong international consensus that Syria must not be used as a base for terrorists such as ISIS, (which) requires securing detention facilities and displaced persons camps in northeast Syria,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
Pedersen meanwhile warned against plans announced by Israel’s cabinet to expand settlements inside the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967 and annexed in 1981.
“Israel must cease all settlement activity in the occupied Syrian Golan, which are illegal. Attacks on Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must stop,” he said.
