Syria’s War ‘Not Over,’ UN Envoy Warns Amidst Renewed Clashes
The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has warned that the Syrian conflict is far from over, despite the removal of President Bashar al-Assad, Al Jazeera reports.
Speaking before the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Pedersen highlighted escalating clashes between Turkish-backed forces and Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, describing the situation as potentially “catastrophic.”
Recent weeks have seen significant hostilities between the Syrian National Army (SNA), supported by Turkey, and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a key ally in the US-led coalition against ISIS. Following a period of intense fighting, a US-mediated ceasefire came into effect. However, the SNA recently seized the city of Manbij from the SDF, prompting the SDF’s withdrawal east of the Euphrates River.
The UN Security Council issued a statement calling for a Syrian-led political process that is inclusive and addresses the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians. The statement also stressed the fight against terrorism, adherence to UN resolutions on non-conventional weapons, and support for UN peacekeepers. Separately, a US State Department spokesperson confirmed the extension of the northern Syria ceasefire until the end of the week.
Adding to the complexity, SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi proposed the creation of a demilitarized zone in Kobane, overseen by the US, to address Turkey’s security concerns and stabilize the region. There has been no immediate response from Turkey, the SNA, or the US.
Pedersen also urged the Security Council to pressure Israel to halt all settlement activity in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. He noted over 350 Israeli strikes in Syria since Assad’s removal, including a major attack on Tartous, and expressed concern over Israel’s plans to expand settlements in the Golan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently held a security briefing within the UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Rob Geist Pinfold, a professor at Durham University, commented on Al Jazeera that Israel is likely taking advantage of the current instability.
The UN envoy also called for an end to Western sanctions on Syria to facilitate reconstruction efforts. The international community faces the challenge of dealing with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate that now controls Damascus, despite recent attempts to moderate its image. Many Western governments still designate HTS as a terrorist group.
