The United Nations Security Council recently held a briefing on the political and humanitarian situations in Syria. A representative thanked Special Envoy Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General Griffiths for their briefings, marking one year since the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.
The earthquake had a significant impact on Syria, particularly in the non-regime-controlled northwest where 4.2 million people rely on humanitarian aid. The council welcomed the three-month extensions for UN access through Bab al-Salam and al-Rai crossings, which have facilitated more efficient aid deliveries alongside the vital Bab Al-Hawa crossing.
However, there was concern that reauthorizing these crossings for ninety-day increments is not sustainable. Humanitarian aid providers require time to plan, prompting calls for more predictable and sustainable access. It was emphasized that humanitarian needs are at their highest since the Syrian civil war began, urging all parties to guarantee access as long as necessary.
There were also remarks about cross-line humanitarian deliveries to the Rukban settlement being blocked by the regime and Russia. Additionally, concerns were raised over illicit drug smuggling from Syria, with calls for action against this issue. "The Assad regime has made Syria into the world’s leading exporter of captagon," it was stated, highlighting complicity within the regime's security apparatus.
In response to this threat, actions have been taken by various international bodies. In March 2023, coordinated efforts by the United States and United Kingdom led to sanctions against individuals involved in captagon production or exportation. The U.S., working with UN agencies, launched a Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats last July.
Regarding political progress, there was a call for a nationwide ceasefire and engagement in good faith from the Syrian regime. Criticism was directed towards Russia's role in obstructing progress as per Resolution 2254. "Russia has undermined the work of the Constitutional Committee," it was noted.
Efforts will continue toward implementing Resolution 2254 fully while supporting Special Envoy Pedersen's endeavors to reconvene Syrian parties in Geneva for discussions.
Thank you notes concluded these remarks at the briefing.