Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoSecurity Council
8535th Security Council Meeting: Situation in the Middle East; Syria
Permanent Representative Calls on Foreign Military Forces to Withdraw
The humanitarian response to fighting in north-western Syria, including Idlib, is stretched and further military action will overwhelm all ability to respond, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs warned the Security Council today, appealing to the 15-member body to take immediate action.
Ursula Mueller, who is also Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, said there is no doubt that Council members are aware of the tragic situation in Syria, where the conflict is now in its ninth year. “The question today is what you will do to protect civilians in Idlib, the latest example of an entirely known, predictable and preventable humanitarian disaster unfolding before our eyes,” she said.
In Idlib alone, she reported more than 160 confirmed civilian deaths, the displacement of 270,000 people and attacks on heath-care facilities, schools and markets. Another 60,000 civilians will receive help in the coming days and weeks, in addition to the 1.2 million already being reached every month, she said.
Elsewhere, she expressed grave concern about the situation in Rukban, strongly urging Syrian authorities to grant permission for a third humanitarian convoy to the southern city. She also discussed the plight of 74,000 civilians at the Al Hol camp, 92 per cent of whom are women and children, and many of them foreigners, stressing that solutions for such foreign nationals must be found urgently.
In the ensuing debate, Belgium’s representative — speaking also on behalf of Germany and Kuwait as co-sponsors of humanitarian-related Council resolutions on Syria — urged all parties to honour their obligations under international humanitarian law, recommit fully to the Russian-Turkish ceasefire arrangements for Idlib, ensure access to aid workers and ensure the safe, voluntary return of refugees. Those responsible for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law must be held accountable, he stressed.
Sharing such concerns, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said the terrorist group Hayat Tahir al-Sham controls 90 per cent of Idlib. In April and May alone, his country identified 398 ceasefire violations involving terrorist groups, while terrorist groups continue to threaten Russian military personnel with rockets and combat drones. Responding, the Russian Federation air forces are supporting Syria to undermine such terrorist activities in the south of Idlib, he stated.
Noting that it has been 111 days since the last delivery to the Rukban camp, the representative of the United States said the Assad regime could approve the access tomorrow. Indeed, preventing deliveries is nothing short of starving the population. Syria and the Russian Federation’s activities in Idlib also exacerbate difficulties around aid delivery. They should instead work to ensure that the ceasefire holds, he said, underscoring the need for accountability for those who plan and conduct strikes on civilians.
Holding the ceasefire remains an absolute priority to avoid Idlib becoming another Aleppo, France’s delegate added. Calling on signatories to the ceasefire to honour their agreements, he said the Russian Federation must put all necessary pressure on Syria’s regime. At the same time, Iran must take action to foster stability in the region.
The United Kingdom’s representative welcomed Turkey’s ongoing efforts to de‑escalate the situation and set up a working group on Idlib. Most worrisome is that violence escalated only one day after Syria declared a unilateral ceasefire. She condemned ceasefire violations by terrorist groups, also voicing concern over attacks on media, including most recently a Sky News crew, and asking Syria to commit to not attacking journalists.
Syria’s representative said the humanitarian situation is being used by Member States inside and outside the Council as a tool with which to target his country. Emphasizing that the presence of any foreign military forces on its territory without approval is an act of aggression that will be dealt with accordingly, he called on all countries concerned to withdraw from Syria those foreign terrorist fighters who are its nationals, hold them accountable for their crimes and ensure they do not go on to pursue terrorism in Africa and elsewhere.
Also speaking today were representatives of Equatorial Guinea, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Poland, South Africa, Dominican Republic, Peru, Indonesia and Germany.
The meeting began at 10:08 a.m. and ended at 12:25 p.m.
For further details please see SOURCE below.
MEETINGS COVERAGE
