Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at UNSC Briefing on Syria
We wish to thank Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria, and Lisa Doughten, OCHA’s Director of Financing and Outreach Division. We are grateful for their detailed briefings on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR). We’ve closely listened to a representative of civil society.
Mr. President,
Over the past month and a half, the situation on the ground in Syria has drastically changed. It is important to note that these changes are positive in nature, including in terms of the restoration of the country's territorial integrity. After many years, the isolated area beyond the Euphrates has been gradually returning into the legal fold of the Syrian State. As Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed during his meeting with Syrian leader Ahmed Sharaa on January 28, the reintegration of the northeast is a crucial step on the path to the unification of SAR. We have consistently advocated and continue to advocate for a united Syria that would be a friend of ours.
In this context, we welcome Damascus’s efforts to this end, and we expect that the implementation of the January agreements with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will progress without recurring violence, nor any setbacks. We also hope that former quasi-state entities will become part of the Syrian State structures, and that SDF fighters will join the ranks of government forces. It is important that the consolidated position of the Security Council members on this matter is reflected in the Council's press statement adopted yesterday.
We unswervingly support the course charted by the Syrian leadership, which is geared towards protecting civilians and upholding cultural and linguistic rights of all Syrian citizens without exception. We stand convinced that the path to long-term and sustainable stabilization in the Trans-Euphrates and in Syria as a whole 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 note yet another encouraging signal as regards the restoration of Syrian territorial integrity, namely reports that the government has taken control of a 55-kilometer zone surrounding the Al-Tanf base in the south of the country. As we recall, this significant portion of Syria's sovereign territory had been arbitrarily occupied for about ten years by the forces of the so-called anti-ISIL coalition led by the United States.
Mr. President,
Against this generally positive backdrop, we regret to note Israel's systematic policy geared towards undermining the integrity of the Syrian statehood, including its territorial integrity. Despite Damascus' openness to dialogue on security issues, West Jerusalem continues to opt for the use of force: for instance, it has refused to withdraw its units from the occupied territories. There are regular indiscriminate strikes on Syria’s territory, there are ground raids deep into the southern regions and operations to abduct civilians, with arbitrary checkpoints being set up there, hindering the free movement of locals.
According to regional media reports, such illegal military activity by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been compounded by measures undermining Syria’s economy and environment. Specifically, we were deeply disquieted by reports of a recent Israeli operation that involved spraying unknown chemicals over agricultural land in the province of Quneitra. As a result, in some villages all vegetation has been completely destroyed; significant wheat and barley crops have been lost. We expect that this information will be met with an appropriate response from the specialized UN entities. Incidentally, the members of the Council were able to see for themselves the consequences of Israel's “scorched earth” strategy when the UN Security Council mission was in Lebanon in December and visited the “blue line.”
Mr. President,
The damage caused by Israel's interference in Syria's internal affairs comes on top of the already dire humanitarian situation in Syria. There were new waves of forced displacement caused by the tragic events in Syria: first, in the coastal areas of the country, then in Suwayda, and then this past January in Aleppo and the north-east of the country; all this has undoubtedly exacerbated the plight of civilians. Despite signs of de-escalation in the area beyond the Euphrates, some 160,000 people remain displaced, more than 90% of whom are women and girls. These people need help.
Another source of concern is the fact that in the above-mentioned regions humanitarian access remains problematic. Electricity cuts disrupt water supply systems, food supply chains remain limited, and in some towns – according to humanitarian agencies – children’s education is still suspended.
Nevertheless, in general we take a positive view of UN humanitarian efforts. We welcome the constructive attitude adopted by the Syrian authorities in their cooperation with international humanitarian organizations. At the same time, we believe that, given the acute shortage of funding, it is essential for the UN’s activities to be based on clearly defined priorities, with resources being concentrated on meeting the immediate needs of the people living under the most dire conditions, that is food insecurity, inadequate health care, and other critical matters. We call for increased attention to be paid to issues related to extreme weather conditions. In the context of widespread flooding in a number of areas in Idlib and northern Latakia this task becomes particularly pressing.
We stand convinced that Syria must gradually transition from humanitarian support to sustainable recovery and development. Undoubtedly, the primary responsibility for creating the necessary conditions for this to happen lies with the new Syrian authorities, but the international community, including UN structures, must also provide comprehensive assistance in this process. We reiterate that economic recovery under sanctions, and even more under the “overcompliance” with these sanctions, remains a tough task. It is necessary to abandon, once and for all, the illegal policy of sanctions pressure and restrictions, and to reject all kinds of trade embargoes that have a negative humanitarian impact.
Thank you.
