The situation in the Middle East - Security Council, 9960th meeting

Peaceful, inclusive political transition in Syria at risk in wake of deadly sectarian violence, Israeli air strikes, Assistant Secretary-General warns Security Council.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 01:50:58
• Production Date: 17 July 2025
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: MOHAMED KHALED KHIARI
• Subject Topical: MIDDLE EAST SITUATION; PEACE AND SECURITY; VIOLENCE; DISPLACED PERSONS; CIVILIAN PROTECTION; RECONCILIATION; AGGRESSION; POLITICAL CONDITIONS; ARMED GROUPS
• Geographic Subject: ISRAEL; MIDDLE EAST; SYRIA
• MAMS Id: 3426647
• Parent Id: 3425351
• Alternate Title: MTG SC 9960 MIDDLE EAST 17 JUL 2025 PM

Description

Detailing another episode of sectarian violence in Syria — and the Israeli airstrikes that followed in its wake — a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today that the peaceful, credible, orderly and inclusive political transition Syria so desperately needs is at risk. 

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, reported that, on 12 July, a series of kidnappings in the Druze-majority governorate of Suweida escalated into armed clashes between Bedouin tribes and local Druze armed groups. On 14 July, the Syrian authorities started deploying security forces with the stated aim of halting the clashes, restoring order and bringing those responsible to justice. Druze armed groups reportedly killed and abducted some of these security forces, and there were also reports of such forces carrying out violations against civilians as they entered Suweida. 

• Briefer: Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific
• Statement: His Excellency Giorgos Gerapetritis, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Greece
• Statement: Sierra Leone (on behalf of: A3+ (Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone, Somalia))
• Statements: Russian Federation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Panama, China, Slovenia, France, Denmark, United States of America, Republic of Korea, Pakistan
• Statements: Syrian Arab Republic, Saudi Arabia, Israel
• Statement: Tunisia (also on behalf of: Arab Group)
• Statements: Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Türkiye 

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UN Meetings Coverage

S/PV.9960