The United Nations calls for the protection of civilians and a return to the political process in Syria to end the bloodshed

Speaking Thursday to reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York, he referred to the recent attack by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham – a group sanctioned by the Security Council – along with a wide range of other armed opposition groups on government-controlled areas, adding that this led to… Big shifts on the front lines.

The Secretary-General explained that tens of thousands of civilians are at risk in an area already on fire. Guterres said: “We are witnessing the bitter fruits of a chronic collective failure of previous de-escalation arrangements to produce a genuine national ceasefire or a serious political process to implement Security Council resolutions. This must change.”.

He stressed that after 14 years of conflict, it is time for all parties to seriously engage with Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen to develop a new and comprehensive approach to resolving this crisis in line with Security Council Resolution No. 2254adding: “In other words, restoring Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, and meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.”.

Suffering is increasing

Guterres reported that he had just spoken with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the latest developments. And he said: “I stressed the urgent need for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need, and for a return to the UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed. All parties are obligated under international law to protect civilians.”.

The UN Secretary-General recalled his tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, when he witnessed the enormous generosity shown by Syrians when they opened their hearts and homes to countless Iraqi refugees.

He explained that at that time there were no refugee camps in Syria, and the refugees were living among the Syrian people. He added: “It breaks my heart when I see their suffering increasing, in addition to the threats to regional security, and even international security as well.”.