Syria
UN Special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen during a press conference in Geneva on October 17, 2021. Photo: Screenshot/UN video
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Referring to Syria as a “hot conflict,” the UN envoy for the country on Tuesday called on the international community to remain focused on the years-long war that has wracked its cities, and to achieve a comprehensive political solution to the conflict.
In the latest briefing to the UN Security Council, Geir Pedersen listed some of the threats that have resulted from the war in Syria, including an increase in airstrikes, clashes, and terrorism.
“My message today is simple: focus on Syria,” Pedersen said. “The current strategic stalemate on the ground and Syria’s absence from the headlines should not mislead anyone into thinking that the conflict needs less attention or fewer resources, or that a political solution is not urgent.”
A peaceful uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad 11 years ago turned into a full-scale civil war. The government used deadly force to crush the dissent with protests demanding Assad’s resignation erupting nationwide.
The brutal conflict has claimed the lives of thousands of people, drawn in foreign powers, and displaced more than half of the pre-war population.
Describing Syria as “the biggest displacement crisis in the world,” Pedersen said 6.8 million people have fled the country, 6.2 million remain internally displaced with a “whole new generation born and brought up in displacement.”
In September of 2019, a 45-membered Constitutional Committee was formed as part of efforts to find a political solution to Syria’s conflict and contribute toward a peaceful solution to the war. It includes equal numbers of governmental representatives, opposition, and civil society.
The three sides have submitted texts on different areas of the Syrian constitution but have so far failed to make any progress.
“I can report that delegations offered at least some revisions to some of the texts presented. Some of these embodied amendments indicating an attempt to reflect the content of the discussions, and narrow differences. Still, others contained no changes,” Pedersen stated, referring to the last meeting between the parties held in Geneva last month.
Responding to the envoy, Richard Mils, deputy US representative to the UN said America supports the Constitutional Committee as a mechanism for dialogue.
“We urge the regime’s delegation to the Constitutional Committee to meaningfully engage in line with the format agreed by all participants, and not obstruct the talks,” Mils stated.
The next round of talks is expected to be held in late May.
Last year, Assad secured a fourth term as president for seven more years. His renewed term came as his security services continued to subject hundreds, including refugees, to arbitrary arrests and torture, while millions go hungry due to his government’s diversion of aid and “failure” to equitably address a debilitating economic crisis, according to Human Rights Watch.
Pedersen also highlighted the need to address the plight of the tens of thousands of Syrians who remain detained, abducted, or missing.
The Syrian government has arrested around 75 thousand people since the war started.
“We urge those with influence over the Assad regime to encourage the regime to undertake large-scale unilateral releases, including of women, children, and the disabled,” Mils also said.
Mils stressed the need to acknowledge the “cause” of 11 years of conflict in Syria while emphasizing that “the most effective and sustainable means to resolve the humanitarian situation is through a nationwide ceasefire and a political solution.”
The Syrian government currently controls most of the lower two-thirds of the country, the Kurdish-led and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces control the northeast, and armed groups opposing Damascus control the northwest.
With the war having fallen into a stalemate and Assad recovering control over most of the country thanks to military assistance from his two allies, Arab countries have inched closer toward restoring ties with the Syrian leader in recent years, AP reported.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been the first Arab state to take steps towards normalizing ties and restoring diplomatic relations with Syria. Assad met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai in March.
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