The situation in the Middle East - Security Council, 9983rd meeting

Syria needs international support on ‘epic scale’, Special Envoy tells Security Council, stressing threat of renewed conflict ‘ever present’.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 02:18:44
• Production Date: 21 August 2025
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: GEIR PEDERSEN; THOMAS FLETCHER
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - OCHA
• Subject Topical: ELECTIONS; HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE; INTERNATIONAL LAW; INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY; MIDDLE EAST SITUATION; SANCTIONS; WOMEN; TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE; GIRLS; ACCOUNTABILITY; SYRIA SITUATION; HUMANITARIAN CRISIS; CIVILIAN PROTECTION; GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE; POLITICAL CONDITIONS; CIVIL WAR; RELIEF PERSONNEL; CONFLICT
• Geographic Subject: ISRAEL; MIDDLE EAST; SYRIA
• MAMS Id: 3439559
• Parent Id: 3438796
• Alternate Title: MTG SC 9983 MIDDLE EAST 21 AUG 2025 AM

Description

Syria needs tangible international support on an “epic scale”, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as he warned that — while violence in Sweida has largely subsided following a ceasefire — the threat of renewed conflict is ever present.

In Sweida, the ceasefire agreed on 19 July has come under strain, but, so far, has prevented a slide back into open conflict, said Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, welcoming the efforts of the United States, Jordan and the Syrian authorities in forming a trilateral working group to support the ceasefire.

However, “we are still seeing dangerous hostilities and skirmishes on the margins of Sweida, and violence could resume at any moment”, he warned, adding that the ceasefire risks remaining fragile — “an interim truce rather than the foundation for lasting stability”. While Israel’s air strikes have subsided following the latest ceasefire, the Israel Defense Forces ground operations in southwest Syria have continued. Urging respect for Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, he commended a ministerial-level meeting between Syria and Israel in Paris this week.

• Briefer: Mr. Geir Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria (via video-teleconference)
• Briefer: Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (via video-teleconference)
• Statements: All Council members, with Algeria speaking on behalf of: Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone, Somalia
• Statements: Syrian Arab Republic, Islamic Republic of Iran, Türkiye
• Statement: Qatar (on behalf of: Arab Group)

Related Sites and Documents

UN Meetings Coverage

S/PV.9983