UN Chief Urges Immediate Ceasefire Amid Syria’s Escalating Violence
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Syria following a significant escalation in violence across the northwest regions of the country.
Speaking through his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Monday, Guterres expressed deep alarm over the intensified clashes and urged all parties to uphold their obligations under international and humanitarian law.
Rising Tensions and Humanitarian Crisis
The recent surge in conflict was ignited when Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group designated as a terrorist organization by the UN Security Council, along with allied opposition factions, launched a major offensive in Aleppo’s northwest last week. This action disrupted front lines that had remained static since 2020.
Reports indicate civilian casualties, the displacement of tens of thousands, and extensive damage to infrastructure. Essential services and humanitarian aid have been severely interrupted, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Guterres emphasized the urgent need for safe passage for civilians fleeing the hostilities and called for protection of civilian lives and property.
Calls for Political Resolution
Highlighting the prolonged suffering of the Syrian people, Guterres urged all factions to engage seriously with his special envoy for Syria to chart a path towards peace, in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).
“Syrians have endured conflict for nearly 14 years. They deserve a political horizon that will deliver a peaceful future, not more bloodshed,” he asserted.
Military Responses Intensify
In response to the rebel offensives, the Syrian army announced on the same day that it had repelled a major attack by rebel factions in the northern countryside of Hama Province. State media reported that the army regained control over key areas that had briefly fallen into rebel hands.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitor, reported that rebel groups under the banner “Deterring the Aggression” launched rocket attacks on Hama’s neighborhoods for the first time, resulting in the deaths of six civilians and injuring others.
Syrian state television also reported that air defenses in Hama confronted drones flying over the city.
Escalation in Aleppo and Idlib
Rebel forces led by HTS had earlier captured significant parts of Aleppo city and were advancing southward towards Hama. In retaliation, the Syrian army declared intensified operations in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, claiming to have eliminated over 400 militants in the past 24 hours with support from Russian forces.
The unfolding situation underscores the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to halt the violence and pave the way for lasting peace in Syria.
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UN chief calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in Syria
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