That agreement will allow Syria to uphold its own national security following the end of an illegal occupation of the area, he said, cautioning against distinguishing “good” terrorists from “bad” ones or providing some with material support. The representative of the Russian Federation, striking a different tone, pointed to the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding between his country and Turkey, which aims to stabilize the situation in north‑east Syria. ![]() Turkey is also responsible if its troops or allied entities have targeted civilians, he said, stressing that such actions could be war crimes and any allegations must be investigated, he warned. Nevertheless, he urged Ankara to abide by principles of civilian protection and not facilitate a resurgence of ISIL/Da’esh. The United States’ representative called attention to his country’s lifting of sanctions on Turkey following the ceasefire agreement reached for north‑east Syria. Underlining the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, he reiterated his country’s long‑standing position against the use of force and urged the international community to guard against an opportunistic resurgence of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh). ![]() The representative of China said he agreed with the aim of rooting out terrorists as a precondition for peace and stability in Syria but noted that “Operation Peace Spring” could negatively impact the country’s political situation. Outlining response efforts by the Mine Action Service, she said it has so far trained 70 risk education facilitators in 2019, who have been deployed to some 60 communities in rural Damascus.Īs Council members took the floor, several also noted their grave concerns about both the current and the potential repercussions of Turkey’s military operation. ![]() Preliminary findings for 2019 indicate that over 2,500 communities and 11.5 million people are affected, a dramatic increase from the previous year’s figures, she said, describing the impact on communities - and their already weakened and struggling health sector - as devastating. He also called for decisive action to consolidate the ceasefires in the north‑east and north‑west, along with efforts to ensure that Syria’s political negotiations track remains on course.Īgnès Marcaillou, Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service, briefed Council members on the current state of explosive contamination in Syria, whose full extent is not yet known. It is crucial that the Council and Member States protect civilians, including captured fighters, and ensure full and unimpeded humanitarian access. While violence has now subsided, the situation remains in flux, with many civilians in the north‑east fearing further displacement, disruption of humanitarian access or the return of Government forces. Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary‑General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, also voiced his concerns about the humanitarian impacts of Turkey’s “Operation Peace Spring”. “As the situation evolves, a critical challenge is the need to scale up operations from within Syria,” she said. While humanitarian actors continue to deliver aid despite serious challenges on the ground, some groups have had to temporarily limit or suspend their operations due to the deteriorating security situation. Of the 3 million people living in north‑east Syria, 1.8 million were already dependent on aid even before recent developments, she said. ![]() Calling for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need, she said the military operation by the Turkish Armed Forces and allied non‑State armed groups has led to a humanitarian emergency much larger than had been anticipated. “The latest surge in hostilities in north‑east Syria compounds an already dire humanitarian situation,” said Ursula Mueller, Assistant Secretary‑General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, as she voiced concern about the rapidly unfolding situation on the ground. The recent escalation of hostilities in north‑east Syria - following a Turkish military operation launched on 9 October - has exacerbated the safety and well‑being of the area’s 3 million residents, a top United Nations humanitarian official warned the Security Council today, adding that nearly 180,000 people have fled that border region in just two weeks. Rejecting Claims Cross-Border Action Only Targets Terrorists, Syria’s Permanent Representative Says Turkey Using Self-Defence Right to Occupy Sovereign Territory
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |