Idlib, 31 October 2023 (TDI): United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pederson, cautions that the escalating crisis in the Middle East has already spilled over into Syria, posing a significant threat.
In October, northwestern Syrian towns faced a severe military escalation from Syrian government forces and Russia, the worst in nearly three years.
Tragically, over 65 civilians, including 20 children and 10 women, lost their lives, with 265 others, including 80 children and 45 women, sustaining injuries, as reported by a Syrian volunteer emergency rescue group.
Addressing the Security Council, Geir Pedersen emphasized that Syria has remained in a “strategic stalemate” since March 2020, characterized by static front lines, ongoing violence, and occasional escalations in fighting.
He informed ambassadors that de facto authorities are consolidating control, and foreign armies continue to operate within the country.
The absence of a substantial political process has fueled rising instability and violence, creating an extremely perilous situation, Pedersen cautioned. Furthermore, Syria faces an elevated risk of broader violence following the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas.
It’s not merely a risk, spillover into Syria has already commenced,” he stated, referring to recent airstrikes, attributed to Israel, striking Aleppo and Damascus airports, temporarily suspending the UN’s Humanitarian Air Service operations.
Syria has witnessed its most severe surge in violence in more than three years, causing civilian casualties, injuries, and infrastructure destruction.
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Government-controlled regions have faced intensified assaults, including unattributed attacks on a military academy in Homs and rocket strikes by the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, resulting in civilian casualties.
Bombardment from the government forces in the northwest has escalated to levels comparable to those seen before the 2020 conflict, leading to the displacement of more than 120,000 civilians and causing extensive damage to essential services.
In the northeast, there has been a notable escalation following a terrorist attack in Ankara, resulting in Turkish strikes and civilian casualties.
Simultaneously, the terrorist organization ISIL continues to be active, launching attacks on multiple fronts.
Speaking to the Security Council, Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy at the UN Humanitarian Aid Coordination Office, OCHA, highlighted the significant escalation in hostilities in northern regions.
The conflict also caused extensive damage to essential services and infrastructure, impacting more than 40 health facilities, two dozen schools, and around 20 water systems.
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