United Nations (TDI): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made a fervent appeal for an end to escalating violence in Syria, warning that the recent surge in fighting risks further fracturing the war-torn nation.
Addressing reporters outside the Security Council chamber, Guterres expressed deep concern over the “grave and dramatic developments” in Syria, describing it as a crossroads of civilization now facing progressive fragmentation.
Clashes erupted on November 27 in the western countryside of Aleppo between pro-government forces and anti-government armed groups, marking an alarming escalation after a period of relative calm in the 12-year civil war.
The violence, initiated by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a terrorist group sanctioned by the Security Council, has caused civilian casualties, displaced thousands, and severely damaged critical infrastructure.
“The latest offensive has significantly shifted frontlines, leaving tens of thousands of civilians at risk in an already devastated region,” Guterres said, calling it a bitter outcome of the failure of past de-escalation efforts to secure a genuine ceasefire or meaningful political progress.
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Guterres underlined the urgent need for immediate humanitarian access to affected civilians and a revival of the UN-led political process to resolve the crisis in accordance with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).
“It’s time for serious dialogue,” he said, emphasising the need to restore Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity while meeting the aspirations of its people.
Recalling Syria’s history of generosity towards refugees, Guterres said it was heart-wrenching to witness the growing suffering of its people.
He urged all influential actors to play their part in alleviating the crisis.
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The UN chief also said that he had spoken with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the worsening situation and would reach out to other regional leaders to seek a solution.
“It is high time for all parties to engage seriously with my Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, to chart an inclusive and comprehensive approach to resolving this long-standing conflict,” Guterres concluded.
