S/PV.10106 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, the Syrian Arab Republic and Türkiye to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria; Ms. Lisa Doughten, Director of Financing and Outreach Division, Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; and Ms. Muzna Dureid, co-founder of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Mr. Cordone. Mr. Cordone: It is an honour to brief the Security Council for the first time as Deputy Special Envoy for Syria and Acting Head of Mission. I have had the pleasure of meeting this week with the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, Council members and other key stakeholders to engage in a dialogue about how our Office can best serve Syria and its people during the country’s political transition, and I look forward to discussing this with Minister for Foreign Affairs Al-Shaibani in Damascus shortly. Before I update members on the next steps that our Office is keen to take, let me highlight significant developments since Assistant-Secretary-General Khiari briefed the Council on 22 January (see S/PV.10094). On 30 January, a ceasefire and comprehensive agreement was announced by the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, providing for a phased military and administrative integration process. This agreement also included provisions on the return of the displaced and civil and educational rights for Syrian Kurds, building on the 16 January Presidential Decree No. 13 concerning the linguistic, cultural, and citizenship rights of Kurds within the Syrian State. So far, the hostilities have ended, and work on an implementation plan has been progressing in a positive manner. A number of Ministry of Interior forces have begun to deploy in Hasakah and Qamishli city centres. Discussions are proceeding on political appointments, local governance arrangements and further military and administrative integration. Positive indications include visits by the Ministry of Defence to meet with counterparts in Hasakah and visits by the Ministry of Interior to Qamishli airport, now returned to the Government, the oil fields and Ayn al-Arab, also known as Kobane. Members will have seen the Secretary-General’s statement of 30 January welcoming the agreement. Let me also commend the parties for reaching it and thank those who have been supporting them in this effort. We look forward to its full and swift implementation with regard to the peaceful integration of north-east Syria, the protection of the rights of Syrian Kurds and the safe, dignified and voluntary return of displaced persons, creating conditions whereby all in that part of Syria can live in dignity and free from fear. We encourage the parties to continue to uphold their commitments and to resolve any implementation-related differences peacefully and expeditiously. We also call on the parties to investigate allegations of abuses against civilians and combatants alike and to hold to account those responsible. We are following closely the situation surrounding detention facilities in the north-east, including the transfer of large numbers of Syrian and non-Syrian Da’esh- suspected detainees to Iraq, where they are expected to be brought to justice. We look forward to those responsible for atrocities being held to account and to the Iraqi authorities ensuring that any legal proceedings fully respect fair trial standards. The evolving situation also underscores the need for Member States to enhance efforts to repatriate their nationals as swiftly as possible. In this regard, we take note of the commitments made during discussions held in Riyadh on 9 February by members of the Global Coalition against Da’esh. In Suwayda’, there have been renewed clashes between government security forces and local armed groups and reports of material damage and electricity outages in parts of the Governorate. The Syrian Ministry of the Interior announced the arrest of a member of the internal security forces, following an official investigation that identified him as a suspect in the killing of four civilians and the wounding of another on 7 February. There have been new rounds of protests inside Suwayda’ calling for self-determination and the withdrawal of government security forces from towns and villages north and west of Suwayda’. We reiterate our call on the parties to engage in confidence-building measures, including those outlined in the Suwayda’ road map of 16 September 2025, aimed at the peaceful resolution of this dangerous situation, with full respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Also in the south, Israeli incursions and search operations have continued. There are reports of aerial spraying of herbicides by Israel, causing damage to crops and pastures. We reiterate our call for full respect for international law and for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We also call on Israel to withdraw from areas that it occupies in violation of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces, and we support the pursuit of mutually acceptable security arrangements between Israel and Syria. The next step in the political transition is the formation of the People’s Assembly. The Council will recall that voting for 122 of the 140 elected seats took place in October 2025. Following the 30 January agreement, the Supreme Committee for Elections announced that voting for four vacant seats in Raqqah Governorate will take place in the coming weeks. Clarification is still pending on steps to fill a further 11 elected seats in Hasakah Governorate and in the district of Ayn al-Arab, also known as Kobane. Meanwhile, we are awaiting confirmation of the time frame for the announcement of the 70 presidential appointees and of the date of the opening session of Parliament. We reiterate the importance of ensuring that Syria’s regions and diverse groups are meaningfully represented in the People’s Assembly. The protection and promotion of human rights, including addressing the issues of the missing and transitional justice, are fundamental elements for a credible and successful political transition in Syria. Advancing a process of truth, accountability, reparations and reform is essential for a successful political transition. Work on these issues is central to fostering the trust and confidence required for lasting peace and stability. Our Office remains committed to working closely with the Government and national partners and with other components of the United Nations system and the relevant international organizations to support Syrian efforts in this regard. Here, I wish to underline the extraordinary role played by Syrian women and by civil society throughout the years of conflict and during these past 14 months. I especially look forward to engaging with them, including through the well- established Syrian Women’s Advisory Board and Civil Society Support Room. The political participation of Syrian women at all levels is a pillar of a State committed to plurality, inclusion and opportunity for all. Today the members of the Security Council that are signatories of the Statement of Shared Commitments on Women, Peace and Security noted their intention to work with the Syrian Government and all relevant partners in this regard. We welcome this, and I look forward to the briefing by Ms. Muzna Dureid. Let me say a few words now about the work of the Office and our immediate plans. We are determined to be a strong, fair and supportive partner to the Syrian Government and to all Syrians. We shall never lose sight of the immense suffering and loss that Syrians have endured over 14 years of conflict and decades of dictatorship. We recognize that this legacy is a heavy one, and we know that Syrians today hold both hopes and fears, perhaps in equal measure. We are fully conscious of the difficulties that lie ahead, but also of the many opportunities presented by the new era that began on 8 December 2024. We are committed to supporting the success of this transition for all Syrians. We approach our work with humility and in a spirit of partnership. I wish to thank Ambassador Olabi for our positive discussions. I look forward to working with him. I also look forward to being in Damascus next week to continue discussing the specific, concrete ways in which the Office can best support Syria’s political transition — support that we believe can be delivered most effectively when the Office is relocated to Damascus. The Office will also work to ensure close coordination with the United Nations country team, and I have already initiated positive discussions in this regard with Nathalie Fustier, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim. We are all very conscious of the need to maximize practical impact, avoid inefficiencies and duplication and ensure that our partnership delivers real results for the Syrian people. The tragic flash flooding of displacement camps in Idlib this week is a stark reminder of the continuing need for humanitarian assistance — as my colleague from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will brief the Council — and of the need for durable solutions to rebuild the country. Finally, let me stress how closely we wish to work with the countries of the region and with the members of the Security Council. In the past 14 months, the Council has demonstrated a welcome unity of purpose, including during the consequential visit to Damascus at the end of last year. The Council’s press statement of yesterday (SC/16293) is a further welcome sign in this regard, and I am confident that this spirit of unity can be further deepened in the period ahead. Allow me to conclude with a few words in Arabic. (spoke in Arabic) I wish to underline my readiness and that of everyone in the Office of the Special Envoy to work constructively with the Syrian Government and all Syrians in order to define the best way in which the Mission can provide concrete support, in coordination with the United Nations country team and other partners, during Syria’s historic journey of political transition. Finally, I salute the Syrian people — in all their components, men and women — for their determination in overcoming decades of oppression and brutal conflict. I look forward to strengthening the United Nations partnership with Syria in pursuit of a stable, peaceful and prosperous future.

I thank Mr. Cordone for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Doughten. Ms. Doughten: As Deputy Special Envoy Cordone has just set out, recent weeks have highlighted Syria’s continued vulnerability to insecurity. They have also shown that, with sustained international support, Syria can navigate these challenges, move towards greater stability and reduce long-standing humanitarian needs. Last month’s clashes and military operations forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. While many have returned, particularly in Aleppo city, an estimated 130,000 remain displaced across Hasakah, Raqqah and Aleppo Governorates. More than 90 per cent of those displaced are women and girls. Two thirds are staying with host communities, straining already stretched households and services. Others are living in overcrowded camps, exposed to the biting cold of winter. Insecurity and road closures have disrupted supplies of clean water and curbed people’s access to health facilities and schools. With greater stability and revised security and governance arrangements in place, basic services are gradually resuming, damaged infrastructure is being repaired, and commercial and humanitarian movements between Hasakah and Raqqah Governorates are restarting. But significant gaps remain. In the city of Ayn al-Arab, also known as Kobane, in Aleppo Governorate, local officials estimate that up to 400,000 people across the city and surrounding communities have been affected by the recent insecurity. Conditions there appear to be improving incrementally. Commercial supply chains have begun to function again, but only partially. The city’s residents have faced major shortages in electricity and clean water supply. But there are indications of improvements, with electricity supply reportedly resuming this past Monday, following repairs to power equipment. Despite the challenges, the United Nations and its partners continue to deliver vital aid in these areas. Our teams have reached 200,000 people across Hasakah, Aleppo and neighbouring areas. With national authorities, non-governmental organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), we have organized more than 170 trucks movements in 14 convoys. In Ayn al-Arab, some 60 trucks have brought food, water, medical supplies, a mobile clinic, fuel and other critical items. The ICRC and SARC, along with the Government, have worked to repair power supply infrastructure. In Qamishli, Hawl and parts of Raqqah, dozens more trucks have brought a range of supplies to reinforce our programmes. In Hawl camp, assistance for thousands of women and children was disrupted for four days. But aid distributions were re-established by 23 January, in coordination with the Syrian Government. Needs in Syria remain immense, but there are encouraging indicators of real, if modest, improvements in the humanitarian situation. According to the recently concluded 2025 Food Security Assessment, food insecurity has been eased thanks to increases in remittances and wages, reduced price inflation for food and other tentative improvements in the economy. But limited livelihood opportunities, the continued impact of insecurity and drought-like conditions have slowed the pace of gains. Some 700,000 people are still facing severe food insecurity, while 6.4 million are moderately food insecure. Since December 2024, more than 3 million refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their home areas. Dozens of displacement camps have closed. But many of those returning still require humanitarian aid, and 5.5 million more remain displaced inside Syria. Displaced persons, particularly those living in camps, remain particularly vulnerable to harsh weather conditions. Earlier this week, heavy rainfall caused severe flooding across parts of Idlib and northern Ladhiqiyah, killing two children, affecting more than 5,000 displaced persons and damaging or destroying some 2,000 tents. As we have said consistently to the Council, Syria can turn the corner on humanitarian needs, but only with decisive support in three key areas. First, we need concerted and agile diplomacy to prevent further violence. Recent weeks have shown the risk of continued insecurity and the continued importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. But we have also seen the potential for dialogue, backed by strong diplomacy, to prevent further escalation and to advance on addressing long-standing tensions. We hope that recent agreements will translate into the stability that the people of Syria deserve and that can form the basis for genuine investment in Syria’s recovery. Secondly, we need increased, targeted investment in recovery and development. Continued announcements of plans for private investment in critical infrastructure, energy and other areas, particularly from countries in the region, are encouraging. At the same time, we need scaled, targeted support to restore essential services and livelihoods, to sustain returns and to ensure the most vulnerable are not left behind. Our teams are working on plans to accelerate a shift from emergency relief towards recovery and development, while strengthening humanitarian-development cooperation in the interim. Given the scale of the task of recovery, we need a wide range of international partners to provide substantial and targeted development finance. Thirdly, we need to preserve vital humanitarian funding in the near term. The people of Syria want to move beyond continued reliance on aid. But until the investments in recovery take hold, it is vital that transitional life-saving assistance be sustained. We urge donors to maintain, and where possible front-load, flexible funding. In 2025, we were able to leverage improvements in access and a shift to more efficient ways of working to reach 3.8 million people each month. That is 40 per cent more than the year before, despite receiving only 36 per cent of funding requirements. With more resources, we can expand critical support to millions more. We are currently finalizing our response plan for 2026, based on updated assessments. In the meantime, we are prioritizing critical activities in the first quarter of this year. These include: getting vital aid to those affected by recent violence, displacement and natural disasters, including food, shelter, water and basic health services; making a push on mine action to enable the resumption of basic services, commercial activities and the prospect of a safe life; and strengthening water, health and other services that save lives while also improving conditions for dignified returns and livelihoods. We continue to have a rare opportunity to help the people of Syria reverse one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises. Let us continue doing all we can to let them seize this chance.

I thank Ms. Doughten for her briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Dureid. Ms. Dureid: I thank Security Council members for the opportunity to brief them today. My name is Muzna Dureid. I am a Syrian woman, a daughter, a mother, an advocate and a former refugee. I am from Qadam in Damascus, a neighbourhood that was levelled to the ground by the Al-Assad regime and its allies, where my family witnessed five years of siege, bombardments, mass killing, detention and forced displacement. I came to Canada in 2016 as a young asylum seeker with no plan except survival. I started over, but I never left Syria behind. I kept working through civil society for women’s rights, displaced communities and a humanitarian response. Like many Syrians, the fall of Al-Assad gave me enough hope to permanently return home, not because Syria is ready or my neighbourhood is livable, but because Syria needs all of us, and the risk of apathy is higher than that of engaging. Despite some positive developments and the return of more than 3 million displaced persons, the north-east remains unstable. Unlawful Israeli interventions continue. A year has passed without a legislative body, and sectarian violence and external tutelage persist in Suwayda’ and on the coast. At the same time, a collapsed economy is exacerbated by the current neoliberal policies. Syria cannot be rebuilt on half-measures or political pragmatism over the rule of law, while the international community is trapped between cautious engagement and costly hesitation. Given this pivotal time in Syria, I am here to urge the Council and the international community to act in three critical areas. First, with regard to women’s participation, as we convene here in New York, my colleagues in the Syrian Women’s Political Movement are holding our General Assembly in Beirut, not in Damascus. We requested to meet in Syria, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not grant permission. How can inclusive political laws be shaped if those advocating for them cannot even convene? Look at the Cabinet: there is one female minister. Look at the recent diplomatic appointments: there is not a single woman. Syria did better in the 1940s, when it appointed Alice Kandalaft to the United Nations. Eighty years later, this is not about capacity; it is about political will. Without Syrian women, the transition will not be legitimate. Syrian women paid the highest price during the Syrian revolution. Yet women continue to face security threats, including sectarian abduction, killing and patriarchal mindsets in the system and the society. As a woman returning to Syria, I face constraints men do not. Rights that require permission are not rights. Secondly, with regard to transitional justice, Al-Assad fled Syria, but his system and legacy did not. Syrians can heal only if we see Al-Assad behind bars. We cannot accept impunity for him or immunity for his enablers, such as Mohammad Hamsho and Fadi Saqr. Granting immunity behind closed doors undermines the transition and reinforces the notion that justice serves elites rather than victims. When Syrian forces were deployed to the coast and to Suwayda’ in 2025, serious violations were committed, fuelled by identity and sectarian hatred. Investigations followed; accountability did not. What blocks justice? It is the prioritization of loyalty over competence and the rule of law and secrecy over transparency, and it is hate speech that turns neighbours into targets. Three actions are essential in that regard for Syria. First, it must join the Rome Statute and grant jurisdiction to the International Criminal Court. Secondly, it must strengthen national institutions to address past and present violations, working closely with United Nations mechanisms, including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 and the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic. Thirdly, it must give victims and survivors real agency, not tokenistic roles. True liberation means breaking with the past, but when arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances and extrajudicial violence continue under different flags, it is not liberation — it is betrayal. Thirdly, with regard to security and stabilization in the north-east, the recent decree addressing Syrian Kurds’ citizenship rights, unresolved since the 1960s, is welcome and long-awaited. However, genuine inclusion requires political participation and equal representation reflected in constitutional rights, not subject to political bargaining. As a mother, I must speak about Syria’s children. Seven million have known only war, lost education and, in some cases, faced detention and child recruitment. Investment is needed in education, re-engagement and psychosocial support. A transition that fails children is not a transition — it is a time bomb. Human security is national security. These two issues cannot be separated. No amount of military strength can stabilize a country if its people live in fear, poverty and injustice. We must support Syria in re-engagement and recovery. We must support Syria’s efforts to build State institutions that guarantee a brighter future through comprehensive security sector reform. We must dismantle the remnants of Al-Assad’s security system. We must disarm armed groups. We must prevent secessionist pressures through a unified Syria with administrative decentralization. And we must professionalize the security forces serving all Syrians equally. Syrian-owned and Syrian-led cannot mean that the winner takes all or the centralization of power in one person or one new family. It must mean rights, accountability and genuine representation. Let us remember that Syria has all the ingredients for civil war. The international community and the Security Council can make it a case study in preventing one or an exhibit of how the world failed again, in plain view.

I thank Ms. Dureid for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

We are grateful to Mr. Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, and to Ms. Lisa Doughten, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Director of Financing and Outreach, for their comprehensive reports on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic. We listened attentively to the civil society representative. Over the past month and a half, the situation on the ground in Syria has undergone drastic changes. We consider it important to acknowledge that these changes are positive, including for the restoration of the country’s territorial integrity. After many years, the isolated trans-Euphrates region is gradually returning to the legal framework of the Syrian State. As Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized during his meeting with Syrian leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa on 28 January, the reintegration of the north-east is a crucial step in the unification of the Syrian Arab Republic. We have consistently called for, and continue to call for, a united and friendly Syria. In this context, we welcome the efforts of Damascus in this regard and hope that the implementation of the January agreements with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will proceed without recurrence of violence or disruptions, that previously existing quasi-State entities will become part of the Syrian State structure, and that SDF fighters will join the ranks of Government forces. Importantly, the consolidated position of Security Council members on this matter was reflected in the Council’s press statement adopted yesterday (SC/16293). We consistently support the course charted by Syria’s leadership to protect civilians and uphold the cultural and linguistic rights of all citizens, without exception. We stand convinced that the path to long-term and sustainable stabilization of the situation in the trans-Euphrates region and throughout Syria lies through broad dialogue and an inclusive political process aimed at strengthening national cohesion with due regard for the interests of all ethnic and religious groups in Syrian society, including the Kurds. We also note another encouraging signal in the restoration of Syrian territorial integrity: incoming reports of the Government taking control of a 55-kilometre zone surrounding the Tanf base in the south of the country. This significant stretch of sovereign Syrian territory, as we recall, was arbitrarily occupied for nearly 10 years by the forces of the so-called “Global Coalition to Counter Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant”, led by the United States of America. Against this generally positive backdrop, we regret to note Israel’s systematic policy of undermining the unity of the Syrian State, including its territorial integrity. Despite Syria’s openness to dialogue on security issues, Israel remains reliant on military solutions, including refusing to withdraw its forces from occupied territories. It regularly carries out arbitrary shelling of the Syrian Arab Republic and conducts ground raids and abductions of civilians in southern Syria, setting up arbitrary checkpoints there, impeding the freedom of movement of civilians. According to regional media reports, in addition to their illegal military activity, the Israel Defense Forces are also taking measures to undermine the Syrian economy and environment. In particular, we were deeply disquieted by reports of Israel’s recent operation of spraying unknown chemicals over agricultural land in Qunaytirah Governorate. As a result, vegetation in several villages was completely destroyed, and significant wheat and barley crops were also destroyed. We hope this information will be adequately addressed by the relevant United Nations bodies. Incidentally, Council members were able to witness first-hand the consequences of Israel’s scorched-earth strategy during the Council mission’s December visit to Lebanon along the Blue Line. The damage caused by Israeli interference in Syria’s internal affairs is compounding the already dire humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic. New waves of forced displacement — first owing to the tragic events in coastal regions, then in Suwayda’, and, in January, in Aleppo and the north-east — have undoubtedly intensified the suffering of civilians. Despite signs of de-escalation in the trans-Euphrates region, approximately 160,000 people remain displaced, more than 90 per cent of whom are women and girls. These people require assistance. Another cause for concern is the fact that humanitarian access remains challenging in the above-mentioned areas. Power outages continue to disrupt water systems, food supply chains remain limited and, in some communities, according to humanitarian agencies, children’s education remains at a standstill. Nevertheless, we take a positive view of the Organization’s humanitarian efforts. We welcome the constructive approach of the Syrian authorities in their interaction with international humanitarian agencies. At the same time, we believe that, given the acute funding shortage, it is crucial that United Nations activities be based on clearly defined priorities, focusing resources on meeting the immediate needs of the most vulnerable with regard to food security, healthcare and other vital areas. We call for increased attention to be given to issues related to extreme weather conditions. This task is particularly urgent given the widespread flooding in several areas of Idlib and northern Ladhiqiyah. We are convinced that Syria must gradually transition from humanitarian support to a process of sustainable recovery and development. Without a doubt, primary responsibility for establishing the necessary conditions lies with the new Syrian authorities, but the international community, including United Nations bodies, must also provide comprehensive assistance to this process. We reiterate that economic recovery under sanctions, especially with their overcompliance, is a difficult task. We must finally abandon the illegal policy of sanctions pressure and restrictions, as well as all kinds of trade embargoes, which have a negative humanitarian impact.

Let me begin by also extending a warm welcome to Deputy Special Envoy Cordone. We thank him for his briefing and wish him every success in his new role. I also thank Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Director Doughten. I want to particularly acknowledge the contribution of Ms. Muzna Dureid of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. I thank her for highlighting the important role of Syrian women in the political transition. As she said, Syrian women have paid the highest price during the past 14 years, before the fall of the Al-Assad regime, and I thank her for reminding us of that. We welcome the comprehensive agreement reached by the Syrian transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) last month. It is key now to ensure its continued implementation and to remain focused on dialogue and de- escalation. We urge the Syrian transitional Government and the SDF to prioritize the peaceful integration of the north-east in the political transition and to ensure the rights and protection of all civilians, including the Kurds. Unhindered humanitarian access to the population, including those in displacement camps, must also be a priority. We underscore the need for a secure and orderly transition of the control of camps and detention facilities from the SDF to the transitional Government. We acknowledge the substantial contribution by the SDF to the fight against Da’esh over the past years. Continued pressure by Syria and other partners on Da’esh and other terrorist groups remains important. We welcome Iraq’s cooperation to temporarily detain Da’esh- affiliated terrorists in Iraq-controlled areas and facilities. We reiterate our call for a genuinely inclusive and transparent political process. A Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition that includes the full inclusion of women at all stages and levels, including in the transitional Government, remains imperative. The right to establish political parties and to organize and participate in civil society organizations is an important step in this transition. Civic space must be protected. The United Nations has decades of expertise in guiding and advising on political transitions, transitional justice, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and security sector reform. In this light, we encourage the transitional Government to facilitate the relocation of the Office of the Special Envoy to Damascus as soon as possible. The humanitarian situation remains extremely challenging and complex. In recent months, Syria has battled severe drought, followed by a harsh winter, including heavy snowfall in the north-east and flooding in the western part of the country. Immediate priority must be given to winterization efforts and basic needs. This requires urgent action and assistance. However, the response is threatened by a continued serious lack of funding. We urge all countries to do more to help Syria meet these needs. Beyond the immediate humanitarian needs, we urge the Syrian transitional Government to address the issue of missing persons and to continue to seek assistance from the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic and to ensure close partnership with other relevant independent mechanisms and bodies, which can help to advance transitional justice. In conclusion, as we enter the holy month of Ramadan, we hope that this month of peace and reflection is matched with renewed momentum in the political process, building on the latest developments and ultimately improving the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Syrians. Denmark remains committed to supporting all efforts to this end.

I express special thanks to today’s briefers, Director Doughten and Ms. Dureid, for their very important and relevant comments. We also warmly welcome Deputy Special Envoy Cordone to his new role, and I should say that we are pleased now that he is travelling to Damascus. We also appreciate his and our other briefers’ remarks regarding the importance of women in Syria’s efforts for peace, unity and stability. The United States wants Syria to be a sovereign, unified country at peace with itself and its neighbours. As the Security Council unanimously affirmed in our press statement yesterday, the 29 January comprehensive agreement between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is a milestone in the country’s path towards national reconciliation, unity and stability. The United States remains committed to supporting the successful implementation of this agreement and will continue to work closely with all the parties to facilitate a smooth, timely integration process, which is already under way. We also welcome Presidential Decree No. 13 and look forward to its full implementation. The measures detailed in this Decree affirm that Kurds are an integral part of Syria and open pathways for their full participation in shaping a secure and prosperous future. At the 9 February meeting of the small group of the Global Coalition to Defeat Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), the United States welcomed the Government of Syria assuming responsibility for counter-ISIS efforts, expressed appreciation for the sacrifices made by the SDF and thanked the Government of Iraq for its extraordinary initiative and leadership in extending and accepting the transfer and detention of ISIS detainees from Syria. All nations must play their part to ensure the defeat of ISIS. This includes repatriating their nationals from detention facilities in Syria and Iraq and displaced persons camps in north-east Syria, including terrorists who must swiftly face justice. It also means providing support to the Governments of Syria and Iraq to ensure that ISIS terrorists remain securely detained, providing all necessary support to Syria to enhance its counter-terrorism capabilities, supporting the Government of Syria and humanitarian organizations as they assist displaced persons in the north-east and facilitate the voluntary return of Syrians to their areas of origin and assisting the Government of Iraq in its vital contributions to the region’s security. The humanitarian situation in Syria more broadly remains an area of interest to the United States. This is why Syria was among the countries included in the landmark United States agreement with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to fund life-saving assistance activities and to do so more efficiently and transparently. We urge other donors to join us.

I would also like to thank Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Director Ms. Lisa Doughten for her substantive report and Ms. Muzna Dureid for her clear messages. We warmly welcome Mr. Cordone’s briefing as the Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, reaffirming the United Nations role as a reliable and trusted partner of the Syrian Government. We strongly support the renewed and constructive engagement between Syria and the United Nations in this regard. Syria enters another year with signs of gradual progress towards de-escalation, regional engagement and recovery. The year 2025 was a landmark year for Syria. We acknowledge the progress achieved so far. The path forward must rest on full respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. Greece remains ready to engage and contribute to the development and prosperity of the country. At the same time, significant challenges remain. In 2026, it is important to more efficiently promote a fully inclusive political process that reflects the country’s rich mosaic of communities, as all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, desire to feel fully protected and actively integrated into a pluralistic, inclusive political transition and into the composition of the security forces. We express the hope and expectation that filling the remaining parliamentary seats will compensate for the underrepresentation of components of Syrian society. Without inclusivity and balanced representation, peace will remain fragile and incomplete, as we unfortunately witnessed during the violence against Alawites, Druze and Christians last year. Recent developments in the north-east also highlight both risk and opportunity. As the Council expressed in its most recent press statement (SC/16293), all actors must work together towards cementing the 30 January agreement. Kurds should be fully integrated into Syrian society in a manner that provides them with a sense of protection and security, and their political and cultural rights must be safeguarded as part of the process. In this direction, the Presidential Decree formally recognizing Kurdish identity and incentivizing inclusivity is a most welcome step. Extremism must be addressed accordingly, so as to avoid any relapse into violence, whether from within or beyond Syrian borders. Terrorism remains a corrosive force that feeds on instability and prolongs suffering. Counter-terrorism efforts must go hand in hand with security sector reforms and with full and independent access on the ground in order to counter misinformation. Moreover, the security of the Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham detainee camps must be fully safeguarded. We express our appreciation for Iraq’s decision to temporarily detain Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Da’esh terrorists in Iraqi-controlled facilities. Both countries must work together to ensure that no security vacuum emerges. We also welcome recent initiatives towards regional dialogue, including the agreement between Syria and Lebanon on detainees and progress on border delimitation. Respect for international law, including the international law of the sea, is crucial in this regard. Cooperation across the region remains a cornerstone for preventing relapse and advancing reconciliation. Finally, the path to recovery will falter without urgent, decisive international support, amid a dire humanitarian situation. Millions live between displacement and despair. Food insecurity is rising. Health systems are overstretched. Basic services continue to erode. For many, humanitarian assistance is not a bridge to recovery, but the final buffer against collapse. Humanitarian access must therefore be unhindered. Conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons, including those displaced in Aleppo and the north-east, must also be created. Greece has financially contributed to various humanitarian fields. We are ready to stand with the Syrians and actively participate in the recovery of the country. In conclusion, the Council’s visit to Damascus last December was more than symbolic. It sent a clear message: Syria is not alone. The United Nations remains indispensable to Syria’s path towards reconciliation. Greece reiterates its strong support for a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process, with the inclusion of women, based on the key principles listed in resolution 2254 (2015). To that end, we strongly believe that the effectiveness of United Nations engagement would be further enhanced by the relocation of the Office of the Special Envoy to Damascus and the nomination of a new Special Envoy. Proximity matters, given that dialogue requires access. Greece stands ready to work with all members of the Council to help Syria achieve stability, inclusivity and a peaceful future based on coexistence.

We appreciate the briefings given by the Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Claudio Cordone, whom we would like to congratulate on his appointment; Ms. Lisa Doughten, Director of Financing at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; and Ms. Muzna Dureid, co- founder of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. We would also like to acknowledge the representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Türkiye and Jordan, who honour us with their participation. At this stage of the Syrian transition, we see progress that is worthy of recognition and situations that have yet to be addressed. Recent developments in north-eastern Syria show that, even in a complex context, it is possible to move towards peace and unity when there is political will. The agreements of 30 January, the progress made on institutional integration and the signs of the recognition and inclusion of the Kurdish people along with the rest of the Syrian people through Presidential Decree No. 13 are encouraging developments. We also highlight the importance of the relocation of terrorist fighters, made possible by coordination between the United States, the Syrian authorities and Iraq. It is an effort that strengthens regional security and reflects the effectiveness of international cooperation against terrorism. Panama continues to strongly support the efforts of the United Nations, especially the transfer to Damascus of the Office of the Special Envoy and his team, who are already prepared and willing to relocate and whose role is central to the effective fulfilment of the mission and to keeping the Council informed about the situation on the ground. We believe that interactive exchanges between the Council, Syria and the relevant United Nations agencies will make it possible to harmonize approaches, identify synergies and strengthen the effectiveness of international support. On the humanitarian front, it is imperative to strengthen guarantees of protection for the civilian population and to facilitate full, safe and unhindered access, in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights law. According to reports by Save the Children, the persistent shortage of essential goods and limitations on access to humanitarian assistance have worsened conditions in Hawl camp, increasing vulnerability risks, especially among children and women, who remain in a particularly precarious situation. Panama reiterates that the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of Syrian women in all social and political processes is essential to consolidating lasting peace, legitimate governance and sustainable prosperity in Syria. In this context, it is essential to guarantee the protection of women human rights defenders, civil society leaders and peacebuilders from threats, reprisals and intimidation, recognizing that their participation is a strategic pillar of a sustainable peace process. Through close coordination and transparent dialogue, we can ensure that the commitment of the international community and the willingness of the Syrian authorities effectively serve to meet the needs on the ground and help improve the quality of life of all Syrians. Panama reiterates its recognition of the Syrian people — its men, women and children — who for more than 14 years have shown the world their strength and who deserve everyone’s support in achieving a future of peace, inclusion and prosperity on their own soil.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council (A3), namely the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and my own country, Somalia. We thank the Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Mr. Cordone, and the Director of the Financing and Outreach Division of the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Doughten, for their comprehensive briefings. We congratulate Mr. Cordone on his new role, as it reflects the United Nations ongoing efforts to support the Syrian-led political process, in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015). We take note of Ms. Muzna Dureid’s remarks. We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Syria in today’s meeting. Today Syria stands at yet another delicate juncture. The primary responsibility for restoring order and protecting civilians lies with the Syrian Government, underscoring the urgency of reinvigorating a genuinely Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political process. In this regard, the A3 would like to highlight the following points. First, the A3 reiterates its strong commitment to Syria’s unity, sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. We call on all States to respect these principles and to refrain from any unilateral actions or foreign-driven security arrangements that risk deepening divisions. Secondly, we commend recent developments aimed at fostering national reconciliation, specifically the permanent ceasefire between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. We emphasize that its sustainable implementation is critical to ensure the protection of civilians and effective counter-terrorism. In this context, the A3 welcomes the historic Presidential Decree recognizing Syrian Kurds as an essential and authentic part of the country’s fabric. The formal designation of Kurdish as a national language and the granting of full citizenship corrects decades of injustice and restores the dignity of thousands of Syrians. Thirdly, the A3 remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian implications of instability. Restrictions on movement and localized clashes add pressure to an already overstretched response. We emphasize the need to maintain and expand safe, predictable and principled humanitarian access across all of Syria, with full respect for Syria’s sovereignty. Fourthly, we note that terrorism remains a serious and evolving threat. While concerned by reports of Da’esh detainees escaping from centres in the north-east, we welcome the swift action taken to restore order and resume management of those facilities by the Syrian Government. We further welcome Syria’s commitment to combat Da’esh as a member of the international counter-Da’esh coalition. Fifthly, we underscore that strengthened international cooperation for Syria is essential. We take note of Da’esh fighters transferred from Syria to Iraq and encourage all Member States to cooperate closely on issues relating to third-country nationals and their repatriation. Furthermore, the A3 condemns continued reports of Israeli military operations inside Syrian territories, which clearly violate not only international law but also the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces. The occupied Syrian Golan remains an integral part of Syria, in accordance with resolution 497 (1981), and we call for a complete withdrawal from all Syrian territories. Sixthly, the A3 emphasizes that reconciliation and transitional justice are indispensable for rebuilding a cohesive Syria. We encourage the Syrian Government to continue taking practical steps to create an environment conducive to national unity and the dignified return of refugees. Lastly, the A3 calls on the international community to transition towards a comprehensive approach that supports Syria’s economic recovery, the rehabilitation of essential services and the reconstruction of critical infrastructure through development support. Without these foundations, long-term stability cannot be realized. In conclusion, the A3 reaffirms its full commitment to standing with the Syrian people. We urge the Council to remain united in supporting a genuinely Syrian-owned political process and addressing the drivers of instability in all parts of the country. Only through sustained political will and inclusive national dialogue can Syria move towards a future of peace, dignity and stability.

I would like to thank the Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Mr. Claudio Cordone, and the Director of the Financing and Outreach Division of the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affair, Ms. Lisa Doughten, for their briefings. I would also like to thank Ms. Muzna Dureid, co-founder of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, for her testimony and comments to the Council. France welcomes the comprehensive agreement dated 29 January, signed between the Syrian authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces. This agreement brings to an end a worrisome escalation, which France has addressed at the highest level. This agreement formalizes the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the military, security and administrative apparatus of the Syrian State and guarantees the political rights of the Kurds in Syria. The Security Council must ensure the effective implementation of this agreement. During his visit to Syria and the region last week, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot, reiterated France’s support, alongside its partners, for the Syrian transition. As Syria embarks on a path towards a more united and sovereign Syria, France would like to convey three messages to support this process eagerly awaited by all. First, the international fight against Da’esh must be pursued relentlessly, given the resurgence of the terrorist threat in Syria. The security of camps and prisons in north-eastern Syria must be ensured so as not to create any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by Da’esh. The expertise acquired by the Syrian Democratic Forces, which are part of the Syrian security apparatus, can be put to use in addressing common security challenges. We remain committed to the collective effort to combat Da’esh within the framework of the international counter-Da’esh coalition. Our collective security depends on it. Secondly, Syria will be able to recover only once peace has been restored and its transition is firmly established. France strongly supports the Syrian authorities in continuing the transition under way. We remain steadfast in calling for the participation and inclusion of all components of Syrian society. The effective participation of women in Syrian political life will be decisive. We stand ready to support transitional justice efforts to ensure that they translate into action, in order to usher in a new era in which no crime goes unpunished. The recent visit to Paris by a Syrian delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Justice and the Syrian Attorney General illustrated this cooperation. The support of United Nations mechanisms is also crucial. This pacification is the only way to guarantee the stability needed to attract investment and pave the way for sustainable economic recovery. The Council must also support Syria’s integration into its neighbourhood in order to promote regional stability. We encourage the rapprochement with Lebanon, and we welcome the recent agreement on the transfer of prisoners. A security agreement must be concluded with Israel for the benefit of both parties. France welcomes the progress made in this direction. It is important that Israel cease its incursions into Syrian territory and finally accept the olive branch offered by a Syria eager to normalize relations. France supports the presence of the Office of the Deputy Special Envoy in Damascus to assist the political transition in Syria by drawing on the recognized expertise of the United Nations, with full respect for Syrian sovereignty. In conclusion, the Security Council must continue to support the Syrian people as they move forward with determination towards a more prosperous, stable and secure future.

Allow me to thank all the briefers and to congratulate Mr. Cordone on his appointment as Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria. I also welcome the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to today’s meeting. The sisterly Syrian Arab Republic is going through a delicate and sensitive phase, requiring the support and solidarity of the international community to enable the Syrian Government to preserve the country’s sovereignty, stability, security and territorial integrity. This can promote the safe return of refugees, State reconstruction and economic empowerment and help with development, prosperity and sustainability for the benefit of the brotherly Syrian people. The Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes the first step in implementing the comprehensive agreement reached between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces on 30 January, which stipulates a ceasefire and the integration of the self-administration institutions in north-eastern Syria into the Syrian State. This is a positive step towards national unity, civil peace and coexistence in Syria. The efforts of the United States of America in reaching this agreement are highly valued. The Kingdom of Bahrain also commends Syria’s efforts to combat terrorism and counter extremism, including its participation in the Global Coalition against Da’esh, countering illegal armed groups, and its commitments to ensuring that detention centres in north-eastern Syria meet international standards. We stress the need to continue such efforts, in coordination with international partners, to prevent the resurgence of terrorist groups, stop their funding and protect civilians, thereby contributing to regional and international stability. The Kingdom of Bahrain expresses its support for the humanitarian and relief efforts in Syria provided by United Nations agencies and their partners to meet the basic needs of those affected, offer care to the displaced and provide a conducive environment for the safe and voluntary return of refugees in accordance with international standards. We stress the need for continuing to provide United Nations support to the new Syrian Government so that it can meet its basic needs. The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by the Royal Humanitarian Foundation, expressed its commitment to supporting the brotherly Syrian people by signing a grant agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Syria to rehabilitate damaged homes in the rural areas of Aleppo and Damascus and to restore a dignified life for families returning to their affected areas. We stress that the Golan is a Syrian-Arab territory, and we call upon Israel to abide by the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces. We appreciate the pivotal role of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in maintaining security and stability, particularly in the buffer zone, as well as its efforts to coordinate between the parties concerned to preserve the safety and security of civilians in the area. We also welcome the United States efforts aimed at halting Israeli attacks on Syria. In conclusion, we reiterate our firm rejection of foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs, and we support the Government in its efforts to rebuild the country and build a prosperous and secure future for the noble Syrian people.

The briefings this morning on the recent developments in Syria provide a sense of cautious optimism, even as they underscore the complexity of the challenges and the difficult path ahead. Pakistan welcomes the 30 January agreement between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. We expect that its faithful implementation will bring stability and strengthen Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. Over the past 14 months, notable steps have been taken to advance Syria’s political transition. Although gradual and intricate, these measures nevertheless reflect movement towards stabilization after years of conflict. We hope to see this trajectory continue in a steady and inclusive manner, anchored in national ownership, reinforcing State institutions, consolidating security and creating conditions conducive to durable peace. In this regard, we also appreciate recent State initiatives, including the 16 January Presidential Decree, concerning the rights of the Kurdish community, as constructive steps towards national cohesion. At the same time, we need to recognize that significant challenges persist. The threat of terrorism remains acute. The continued presence and activities of terrorist groups, including foreign terrorist fighters, especially the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, pose serious risks to Syria’s stability and regional security. These elements must be addressed in a coordinated and effective manner consistent with international law and the relevant Security Council resolutions. Counter-terrorism efforts must remain precise and focused without conflating State institutions with non-State actors. It is equally important that detention facilities holding terrorists are managed and transitioned responsibly so as to prevent instability or spillover. The humanitarian situation also requires continued attention, with millions of Syrians in need of sustained assistance, as infrastructure, basic services and livelihoods remain under severe strain. Ensuring safe and unimpeded humanitarian access alongside enhanced recovery support is essential to alleviate suffering and restore dignity. At the same time, with the lifting of sanctions, there is an opportunity to gradually shift from a predominantly humanitarian framework towards revitalizing economic and commercial activity in order to enable meaningful recovery. Pakistan strongly condemns all violations of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces and other destabilizing actions by Israel. Such actions are unacceptable. Full respect for existing agreements and for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains imperative. The Council must ensure Israel’s full withdrawal from occupied Syrian territories, in compliance with its own resolutions. Syria’s path towards peace requires sustained political commitment, respect for its sovereignty and meaningful international support. Pakistan reaffirms its solidarity with the Government and the brotherly people of Syria and will continue to engage constructively in support of a stable, unified and sovereign Syria.

I would like to warmly welcome Mr. Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, to his first briefing to the Security Council. I wish him every success in strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and Syria and in advancing the priorities he outlined today. We are convinced that the expertise of the United Nations, together with enhanced presence on the ground, will contribute positively to Syria’s future. Let me also thank Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Director Doughten for her detailed briefing and, especially, Ms. Muzna Dureid, for her valuable contribution to this discussion. Latvia welcomes the permanent ceasefire and comprehensive integration agreement announced by the Syrian transitional Government and Syrian Democratic Forces. Following earlier outbreaks of armed confrontation between both parties, this agreement now provides an opening for peace and stability in north-east Syria. We call for an accountable implementation of the agreement, recognizing its symbolic overall significance for promoting intracommunal trust and inclusive governance prospects across Syria. Agreed arrangements for civil and military integration is a step towards a sustainable approach to such governance. We acknowledge the fundamental role that the Syrian transitional Government has assumed alongside joint international endeavours to counter Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS), and we welcome the steps taken by Syria to join the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, as well as the important contribution of Iraq to regional security. In addition, we recognize the sacrifices made by the Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against terrorism. Previous escalations in north-eastern Syria have highlighted that even in times of heightened tension, the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law must remain paramount. Safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access is necessary for communities to be able to continue to receive essential support, including food, clean water, electricity and medical assistance, across Syria. In this context, particular attention must be given to the needs of the most vulnerable, including women and girls, who are often disproportionately affected. Ahead of today’s meeting, Latvia joined other signatories of the Statement of Shared Commitments on Women, Peace and Security, recognizing that over the past decades Syrian women and girls have borne a heavy burden owing to the dire security situation and living conditions. Their strength and resilience are the cornerstone in building the new Syria. Countless Syrian families lost their members during the war waged by the Al-Assad regime against its own people. Gravely affected by the economic crisis, Syrian women often are the sole providers for their families and their daily experience mirrors the social and economic challenges that need to be addressed. The full, equal and meaningful inclusion of women in the political process, as set out in resolution 1325 (2000), would benefit the whole country. An inclusive political transition, with at least 30 per cent participation of women and substantial ethnic and religious representation is a pathway for a reconciliation of Syrian society and lasting peace. That reconciliation has to be built on the principles of human rights and dignity, ensuring safety and protection, including by adopting comprehensive laws that address sexual and gender-based violence. We welcome the resolve of Syria’s transitional Government to put justice and accountability at the core of their endeavours. We look forward to a comprehensive and transparent effort, to be made by the established national bodies, also enabling the genuine participation of victims in the process. We support the work of accountability mechanisms for Syria and the full implementation of their mandates. In conclusion, let me emphasize that one year into Syria’s transitional process, more work lies ahead to mend the social fabric torn by conflict and a brutal regime. Sustained international solidarity, focused on recovery and rebuilding, is essential to support Syria’s path towards stability, dignity and lasting peace. Latvia remains a committed partner on this path.

I would like to thank the presidency for organizing this meeting, as well as the Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Claudio Cordone; the Director of the Financing and Partnerships Division of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Lisa Doughten; and the co- founder of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, Ms. Muzna Dureid, for their briefings. I also welcome the Permanent Representative of Syria to this meeting. On the one hand, I would like to begin, referring to the political sphere, by saying that Colombia reiterates its firm commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as to a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political solution, for the benefit of regional stability. My delegation welcomes the ceasefire declaration and the agreements reached to move towards stabilizing the whole of the Syrian territory. In that context, Colombia wishes to emphasize that efforts to improve security conditions are essential, as are measures to build trust among the population, in order to ensure that the country’s future will be truly inclusive. This also means understanding that peace without the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women is doomed to failure. Colombia therefore reiterates its support for a robust, transparent and participatory process of reconstruction in the country. In this regard, the necessary guarantees must be consolidated to ensure access to justice and accountability for the events that occurred during the conflict. Given that justice is an indispensable factor on the path to sustainable peace, the principles of truth, reparation and non-repetition must be integrated into the measures envisaged for the transition process. On the other hand, the humanitarian situation remains worrisome. Humanitarian assistance is still required to meet basic needs, while conditions on the ground are worsening owing to the winter. In that regard, Colombia wishes to emphasize the imperative need to ensure the uninterrupted provision of essential services and to insist on the call for sustained and predictable funding to meet humanitarian aid needs. Furthermore, in the light of the latest developments in the north-east of the country, my delegation urges the authorities to take measures to address the humanitarian situation of those detained in the Hawl camp, the vast majority of whom are women and children. In turn, Colombia emphasizes the call to take action to prevent all forms of violence, including gender-based violence. Syria is at a crucial moment in its history. As President Gustavo Petro said, in Colombia we understand the weight of pain and the price of war. That is why my country recognizes the value of international support for peacebuilding and consolidation processes. My delegation emphasizes the appeal to the Security Council, the Organization and all States in general to support the actions that Syria has undertaken to this end. International support must be commensurate with both the expectations for the process and the expectations of the entire Syrian population, which hopes to recover after years of conflict.

I thank Deputy Special Envoy Cordone for his briefing. China will firmly support his work and that of his Office. I also thank Director Doughten and the civil society representative for their briefings. The current situation in Syria remains fragile, with deep-rooted intercommunal tensions, a severe counter-terrorism landscape and pressing humanitarian challenges. The international community should provide more constructive support to Syria to help it to achieve national stability and economic development at an early date. I would like to make three points. First, advancing an inclusive political process is key to resolving the Syrian issue. We have noted the significant changes that have recently occurred in north- eastern Syria as well as the ceasefire and integration agreements reached, and we hope that the agreements will be observed and that stability will be restored as soon as possible. We welcome the efforts by the Syrian transitional Government to protect the rights of minority communities and hope that all factions in Syria will adhere to the principle of Syria-led and Syria-owned processes, engage in inclusive dialogue, advance the political reconciliation process and find a solution for rebuilding the country that reflects the will of the people. Secondly, counter-terrorism is a prerequisite for maintaining security. Terrorist forces remain active in Syria, posing a grave threat to the security and stability of Syria and the entire region. The evolving situation in north-eastern Syria has raised security concerns regarding Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) terrorists in a matter of widespread international concern. The detention facilities for ISIS members and the Hawl refugee camp require high priority and proper management. China firmly opposes terrorism in all its forms and calls on the Syrian transitional Government to fulfil its counter-terrorism obligations, taking all effective measures to resolutely combat all international terrorist organizations designated by the Security Council, including the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement. Thirdly, alleviating the humanitarian crisis is an urgent task in improving people’s livelihoods. The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire, with 16.5 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Hundreds of thousands of people in the north-east have been displaced and are struggling to survive in the severe cold and heavy rains. The international community, especially traditional donors, should increase humanitarian funding for Syria and ensure that humanitarian agencies, including the United Nations, receive adequate financial support. All parties should help Syria to restore and develop its economy to address the root causes of the humanitarian crisis and instability. The situation in Syria is closely intertwined with the broader context in the Middle East. Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity must be fully respected. The Golan Heights are internationally recognized as occupied Syrian territory. The 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces should be upheld, and Israel should withdraw from Syrian territory as soon as possible. China stands ready to continue working with the international community to play a constructive role in helping Syria to achieve security, stability and development at the earliest opportunity.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United Kingdom. I thank Deputy Special Envoy Cordone, Director Doughten and Ms. Dureid for briefing us today, and I congratulate Mr. Cordone on his appointment. I also welcome the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic and the representatives of other countries from the region to this meeting. I will make three points. First, echoing the statement of the Council yesterday (SC/16293), the United Kingdom welcomes the agreement reached between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in late January to bring an end to the fighting in north-east Syria. The United Kingdom has engaged closely with both sides, and we commend the work of the United States to help to broker this agreement. This is a critical step towards a stable and unified Syria. We encourage all involved to commit to de-escalation and to avoid destabilizing action. There have been important steps in the implementation of the agreement, including the Presidential Decree on the protection of Kurdish rights. It is critical that momentum be maintained and that the full integration of SDF military and civilian structures into the Syrian State be carried out in a timely and equitable manner. Secondly, we remain concerned about the humanitarian situation in the region, with significant displacement and disruption of services and humanitarian provisions, including in Kobane and Hawl camp. Now that an agreement has been reached, we call for sustained, unimpeded humanitarian access across the country. The United Kingdom continues to provide humanitarian support in internally displaced persons camps through our implementing partners. We remain concerned about conditions in these facilities and reports of escaped Da’esh detainees. We encourage the Syrian Government to develop a robust transition plan for securing and managing the camps in coordination with the United Nations and international partners to mitigate security risks. Thirdly, Ms. Dureid gave us powerful testimony on the importance of the inclusion of women in political processes. We must seize this opportunity to advance women’s full, equal, meaningful and safe participation and their leadership in all political decision-making processes in Syria. The United Nations has an important role to play in supporting this and other elements of Syria’s transition, and we look forward to the swift establishment of the Special Envoy’s Office in Damascus. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic.

I congratulate you, Mr. President, and your team on the good stewardship of the Security Council’s work this month, and I thank the briefers for their briefings. I wish Mr. Claudio Cordone every success in his new role as Deputy Special Envoy for Syria. I had the pleasure of hosting him two days ago for a fruitful and positive meeting, and we look forward to him visiting Damascus soon. I would also like to thank Ms. Muzna Dureid, and I will ensure that the points she raised today are conveyed to Damascus. It is also my pleasure to thank all Council members, as their statements have once again demonstrated the Council’s unity in supporting Syria on its path to rebuilding the nation and moving forward. I will confine myself to just three messages today. First, Syria continues to turn challenges into achievements. As Council members have heard today, north-eastern Syria is no longer the complex challenge that it once was; it is a national achievement that has culminated in a path to stabilization. The comprehensive ceasefire agreement and full integration with the Syrian Democratic Forces have entered into force. The integration of military and security institutions has begun, accompanied by the integration of institutions that include self-governing bodies into State institutions. I am also pleased to announce that elections to the People’s Assembly will soon be held in Dayr al-Zawr, Raqqah and Hasakah. For the first time since independence, elections to the People’s Assembly in those areas are being announced in both the Kurdish and the Arabic languages. Hawl camp and the surrounding prisons have been secured, and work is under way in coordination with international partners to end the dire humanitarian situation in these camps, which has worsened over the years, before the Government assumes this heavy burden. This will be achieved by establishing gradual and safe pathways that respect and preserve the rights and dignity of women and children in those camps in the north-east of the country. Prior to and in parallel to those efforts, the implementation of Decree No. 13 commenced. The Decree affirms that Syrian Kurds are an integral part of the Syrian people and that their cultural identity is an inseparable part of the overarching national identity. The process of recognizing the civil, educational and social rights of the Kurdish community is already afoot. The accomplishments in north-eastern Syria preserve the unity of the country and prove that there are no victors or vanquished in the new Syrian Arab Republic. Victory instead belongs to, and is the achievement of, all Syrians. Secondly, Syria is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism through deeds and sacrifices, not words. The Syrian Government continues to spearhead efforts to combat the Da’esh terrorist organization within the country. As part of this existential battle, which has taken a heavy toll on Syrians in defending civil peace, Syria joined the international counter-Da’esh coalition, thereby reaffirming its international commitments. His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates participated in the international coalition’s meeting in Riyadh a few days ago. The joining of the international coalition was preceded by intensive efforts on the ground, resulting in the arrest of more than 270 terrorists, the foiling of more than 45 terrorist plots and the dismantling of dozens of cells. As Council members have heard and read a few days ago, five assassination attempts against His Excellency the President of the Republic, His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs and His Excellency the Minister of the Interior by the Da’esh terrorist organization were foiled. This was mentioned in the thirty-seventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2734 (2024) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities (S/2026/44). However, the eradication of terrorism requires genuine partnership and sustained international support and that its economic and root causes be addressed. I would like to note that, in coordination with the United States, units of the Syrian Arab Army took control of the Tanf base, secured the base and its surroundings, and began deploying along the Syrian-Iraqi-Jordanian border in the countryside , in a crucial step that contributes to strengthening efforts to combat terrorism and consolidating the stability of Syria and the region. Thirdly, Syria is becoming once again a cultural, intellectual and economic beacon. A few days ago, the special session of the Damascus International Book Fair opened with the participation of more than 500 publishing houses from 35 countries. For the first time in decades, books by dissidents have found their way into the exhibition halls after decades of being circulated in secret. An entire pavilion was also dedicated to the Kurdish language, after the speaking of that language had been a criminal offence for decades. Radio Damascus has also been reopened in its new form, combining modernity and authenticity in line with a plan to develop media work to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people. These are additional steps on the road to restoring normal life to Damascus and returning culture to its role in building the State. This is the new Syria, which has adopted openness, pluralism and respect for diverse opinions as a method for building the State and society. On the economic front, strategic contracts have been signed with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the aviation, telecommunications, infrastructure and water sectors. A memorandum of understanding was also signed with Chevron International and Power International to launch the first offshore exploration project in Syria’s history. A memorandum of understanding was also signed with Mastercard to strengthen digital and financial infrastructure, along with an agreement on air transport services between Syria and Jordan, and many other economic agreements. These steps reflect the restoration of confidence in the Syrian economy and the beginning of a genuine phase of recovery and development, restoring Syria’s historical role as a bridge for trade, knowledge and communication between Eastern and Western civilizations. Despite these promising economic steps, the effects of the past years continue to weigh heavily on the humanitarian situation, and our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have highlighted some of these difficulties. We have recently witnessed a painful example of this in the floods that hit a number of camps in Idlib. The Syrian Government is doing its utmost to end the suffering of its people in those camps and create the right conditions for their return, and it calls on donor countries to shoulder their responsibilities and support efforts to ensure the safe, dignified and voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes. The people who liberated their country, the region and the world from the evils of the former regime deserve the full support of the international community in facing the consequences of war. Before concluding, I would like to reiterate that Syria’s openness to the international community and its belief in diplomatic solutions to Israeli aggression does not in any way imply that Syria is compromising its sovereignty, relinquishing its rights, retreating from its national principles, disregarding the violations against its people or abandoning the decisions of international legitimacy, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions and the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces. In conclusion, what I have presented today is not a political statement, but a national process that is advancing steadily with the trust of the Syrian people. Syria is recovering with its people, its institutions, its unity, its diversity and its freedom of expression. The new Syria is being built today on the basis of citizenship, differences are being managed through dialogue and challenges are being overcome, as Council members have seen. The future of Syria is being shaped today by all its men and women, without exclusion or discrimination, within the framework of a single, unified State that prides itself on its diversity and its cultural and historical fabric.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

We congratulate the United Kingdom on assuming the presidency of the Council this month and commend Somalia for its successful presidency in January. We thank the Deputy Special Envoy, Mr. Cordone, and the Director of the Financing and Outreach Division of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Lisa Doughten, for their briefings. We carefully listened to the views shared by Ms. Dureid. Regarding the situation in Syria, I wish to make the following points. First, the Syrian people continue to endure severe humanitarian, economic and security hardships, despite the important transitional steps undertaken by Damascus over the past year. We support the United Nations efforts to help alleviate those challenges and to contribute to stability and recovery. We welcome efforts to ensure that United Nations engagement remains coherent, effective and responsive to the priorities and needs of the Syrian people. Any new role must support a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led, inclusive political process, in full respect of Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. Secondly, recent developments on the ground, particularly in north-eastern Syria, are significant. The expansion of the interim Government’s authority into areas previously controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, together with the comprehensive integration agreement, represents an important step towards de- escalation, restoring Syria’s territorial integrity and strengthening State institutions. At the same time, the situation remains fragile. Integration must proceed in an orderly, peaceful and inclusive manner. All parties must uphold the ceasefire, prioritize the protection of civilians, facilitate the dignified and voluntary return of displaced persons and ensure accountability for violations. We take note of the steps aimed at advancing inclusivity, including measures related to Kurdish rights. Such initiatives can strengthen national cohesion, provided they are pursued through credible institutions and within the framework of Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. In this regard, we stress that the rights, safety and dignity of all Syrians must be fully respected, without discrimination. This includes the protection of religious and ethnic minorities. Any acts of incitement, intimidation, sectarian violence or collective punishment must be firmly rejected and addressed. Thirdly, the threat of terrorism remains a grave concern. As highlighted in the Secretary-General’s most recent report (S/2026/57), the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) continues to operate across Syria, including through attacks in the north and north-east. We are particularly concerned about the security of detention centres and camps holding thousands of ISIS fighters and their families. Any security vacuum or disruption could have dangerous consequences for Syria and the wider region. We underscore the need for the repatriation of foreign terrorist fighters and their families to their countries of origin, in line with international obligations. Fourthly, the humanitarian situation remains alarming. The international community must move beyond emergency relief by supporting early recovery, reconstruction and economic rehabilitation. Syria’s recovery also requires genuine investment and the removal of obstacles that hinder economic rehabilitation and development. Stabilization and transition efforts must be inclusive and responsive to the needs and aspirations of all Syrians. Fifthly, Israel’s continued occupation of Syrian territory and its military activities, including in the occupied Syrian Golan, remain a direct threat to stability and regional peace. The Israeli regime must comply with international law, including the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces, and cease its violations of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. De-escalation arrangements cannot legitimize occupation. The Security Council must act; selective silence and political shielding only normalize aggression and undermine the Council’s credibility. Finally, the Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its firm support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political process. Iran will continue to support a stable, unified and secure Syria that is free from terrorism, foreign occupation and external interference.

I congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Council for this month, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in this meeting and express our concerns, which warrant your attention, as part of your responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security. Allow me to thank Mr. Claudio Cordone and Ms. Lisa Doughten for their briefings. For Iraq, the security and stability of the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic is a national and regional priority of paramount importance. It requires cooperation to consolidate stability and guarantee the unity and integrity of Syrian territory. Establishing security in Syria requires solidarity and genuine international cooperation. It also requires support for dialogue and sustainable political solutions that contribute to the security of the entire region. Iraq welcomed the comprehensive ceasefire agreement reached between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as well as the understandings it included, stipulating the integration of the self-administration institutions into the Syrian State institutions. We also welcome any negotiations or dialogues that promote peace and regional stability. Iraq believes that dialogue is the best way to achieve the desired security and peace. We support all efforts to achieve stability in sisterly Syria and the role of constructive partnerships in combating terrorism. Given the exceptional and urgent circumstances, Iraq has decided to approve the transfer of a number of Da’esh terrorist detainees from detention centres in north- eastern Syria to specialized centres in Iraq, in coordination with the international counter-Da’esh coalition and the United States Central Command, as a precautionary security measure that cannot be postponed. This aims to prevent a possible mass escape and block the terrorist group’s attempts to rebuild its leadership and operational networks, since keeping thousands of terrorists in unstable environments would inevitably lead to a significant security burden, threatening both Iraqi national security and regional and international security. Data indicates that Iraq received approximately 5,704 individuals from 61 countries. Of them, 467 are Iraqis, 4,253 are Arabs, and 983 are non-Arab foreign nationals. The largest group, consisting of 3,543 individuals, were Syrian. Iraq emphasizes that resolving this issue requires concerted international efforts and support, particularly from the members of the international counter-Da’esh coalition and the relevant United Nations agencies. The recent events in north-east Syria require further cooperation between the members of the coalition. We are talking about the transfer of thousands of terrorists. This is a complex operation that requires time, resources, expertise and continuous political and security cooperation. In this context, we emphasize that Iraq refuses to become a permanent repository for foreign terrorists who are not accepted by their own countries and societies. Iraq’s decision to accept the transfer of non-Iraqi Da’esh members and their families is a temporary measure imposed by urgent security exigencies. This is neither a permanent solution nor an open-ended commitment. We therefore explicitly and clearly stress the need for all countries concerned to repatriate their citizens who are members of the Da’esh terrorist group, contribute effectively and tangibly to supporting Iraq’s reform and security infrastructure and fully assume their legal and ethical obligations in this matter. Iraq also stresses its respect for the national unity and territorial integrity of sisterly Syria and wishes its noble people security, peace, reconstruction, development and the return of the country to its rightful, regional and international place. In conclusion, we reaffirm our full support for Syria’s sovereignty and its control over all its territory. We condemn foreign interventions that violate Syrian sovereignty, the ongoing incursions by the Israeli entity and the violation of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces. We call for compelling Israel to cease its aggression and withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan.

I now give the floor to the representative of Türkiye.

We would like to thank Deputy Special Envoy Mr. Cordone, Director Doughten and Ms. Dureid for their comprehensive briefings. Since the beginning of the year, we have witnessed a significant and rapid shift in the dynamics on the ground in Syria. Developments across the security, political and economic tracks point to a new and more promising trajectory. The prospects for preserving Syria’s unity and territorial integrity are today considerably stronger. This positive momentum deserves the continued and unconditional support of the region and the wider international community. We have all seen that various segments of the Syrian society have made it clear that they will no longer tolerate actions of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Recent developments have also demonstrated the level of public support enjoyed by the Syrian Government, as well as the enhanced capabilities it has developed. Türkiye will continue to support the ceasefire and the full integration process envisaged in recent agreements in a manner that reinforces Syria’s territorial integrity and unity while also accommodating our legitimate national security concerns. Our approach should be guided by the new realities on the ground. The consolidation by the Syrian Government of the country’s territorial integrity and unity will strengthen the State structure and enhance its capacity to fulfil its responsibilities as a constructive member of the international community, including with regard to detention facilities and camps holding Da’esh fighters and their family members, among other pressing issues. In this regard, it is essential that the international community act in full respect of the principle of one army, one State and one Syria. The Syrian Government stands as the sole legitimate partner in our efforts to counter Da’esh and other terrorist groups in the country. We have observed improved capability and operational efficiency among the Syrian Government forces. Increased domestic operations against Da’esh cells carried out in cooperation with the international counter-Da’esh coalition and the capture of high-ranking Da’esh figures stand as clear evidence of this progress. Efforts to portray the SDF as indispensable and self-sacrificing actors in the fight against Da’esh would amount to an overestimation of its role. It should not be forgotten that the SDF withdrew its guards from camps and detention centres without prior notice, leaving those facilities unsupervised, and freed some Da’esh elements who were subsequently recaptured by the Government forces. The main bargaining chip of detention centres is being taken away from the SDF, with ongoing transfers of inmates to Iraq. We remain ready to support the Syrian Government in securing camps and detention centres. We believe that there is now a solid opportunity to enhance cooperation with the Syrian Government on the security front. Türkiye is playing its part in contributing to efforts aimed at building a professional and unified security system in Syria. At the same time, it remains essential to contain any destabilizing impact of Israeli aggression at this critical juncture. We hope that the joint mechanism agreed upon with the mediation of the United States to address all issues between Syria and Israel will help to bring an end to Israel’s encroachments. It is time for Syria’s resources to be directed towards advancing the prosperity and well-being of all segments of the Syrian people. Syria’s considerable national resources, both above and beneath its soil, will serve the reconstruction and development efforts. The renewed sense of hope emerging across the country must not be allowed to give way once again to instability or turmoil. Türkiye will remain firmly committed to supporting efforts that consolidate stability, preserve Syria’s unity and territorial integrity and ensure that this new chapter translates into lasting peace and inclusive development for the Syrian people.

I now give the floor to the representative of Jordan.

At the outset, allow me, Mr. President, to express our sincere congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month. We wish you success in your endeavours. We also express our deep appreciation to the briefers for their comprehensive briefings. It is an honour for me to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Arab States. The Arab Group reiterates its firm commitment to respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. We fully support Syria’s security and stability. We unequivocally reject all forms of external interference in Syria’s internal affairs, in accordance with the principles and provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and relevant Security Council resolutions. The Arab Group commends the national steps taken by the Syrian Government over the past year, in particular the launch of a comprehensive national dialogue, the issuance of the constitutional declaration, the holding of elections for the People’s Assembly and efforts to combat drug trafficking. We also commend the important steps taken by the Syrian Government in the field of counter-terrorism, including the security operations conducted against Da’esh, the terrorist organization, especially the apprehension of individuals involved in the terrorist attack that targeted one of the mosques in the city of Homs. In this regard, the Arab Group welcomes Syria’s accession to the Global Coalition against Da’esh, the terrorist organization, and Syria’s high-level participation in the Coalition’s meeting held in Riyadh. This reflects Syria’s active engagement in international efforts to eradicate the scourge of terrorism. The Arab Group reiterates its support for the Syrian Government’s efforts to strengthen security and stability, to end all unlawful manifestations of armed activity and to reinforce the authority of State institutions and ensure that weapons remain exclusively in the hands of the State. In that connection, we commend the commencement of the agreement between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. It represents a central step towards enhancing Syria’s unity, security and stability. The Arab Group values the role played by the United States in reaching this agreement. The Group also commends the Syrian Government’s efforts to implement the road map to end the crisis in Suwayda’ and stabilize the southern areas of Syria. This was announced by Syria, Jordan and the United States of America. We reiterate the importance of the full implementation of this road map, which enjoys broad international and United Nations support. In that regard, we stress the Group’s absolute rejection of any divisive or separatist schemes. The Arab Group welcomes the constructive cooperation between Syria, on the one hand, and the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, on the other. This reflects the Syrian Government’s commitment to international standards and its dedication to facilitating the work of United Nations organizations in all fields. The Group urges the United Nations and its specialized agencies to provide all forms of support to the Syrian Government in a manner that contributes to recovery and reconstruction and supports local communities affected by the conflict that Syria endured for decades. Such support also enhances the role that the Syrian Government plays in enhancing the voluntary and safe return of refugees. The Group values the pivotal role played by countries hosting refugees and calls on the international community to expand support for these countries, which must not be left to bear this responsibility alone. Syria’s unity, stability and security constitute a fundamental pillar of security and stability in the region as a whole. Achieving stability in Syria requires the immediate cessation of all blatant Israeli aggressions against the Syrian territory, especially in the south, as they constitute a grave violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a clear breach of international law and a dangerous escalation that threatens the security of the entire region. The Arab Group calls on the Security Council to compel Israel to withdraw immediately and completely from all areas it invaded after 8 December 2024 and from the entirety of the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, especially resolution 497 (1981). We call on the Security Council to pressure Israel to halt all forms of aggression, to fully comply with the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces and to end all ongoing violations. The Arab Group welcomes the lifting of the sanctions imposed on Syria, and we welcome the investment and economic cooperation agreement signed by the Syrian Government and its call on the international community to invest in Syria. We urge international financial institutions and the business sector to expand investments in Syria in support of its national economy and to bolster reconstruction efforts in a manner that would benefit the local communities affected and meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. In conclusion, the Arab Group reaffirms its steadfast commitment to stand by Syria and its people as they build a safe, stable and prosperous State on foundations of justice, equality, the rule of law and the protection of the rights of all Syrians, with no exception.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.