The United Nations has warned that Syria is at a historic crossroads, as Turkish military operations in Kurdish-held regions, escalating sectarian killings, and deepening humanitarian needs threaten to unravel the country’s fragile transition following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December.
Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy for Syria on Tuesday briefed the UN Security Council on the volatile security situation in the northeast:
“We still see worrying signs that signs that the conflict in the northeast is not over yet. Exchanges of fire between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian National Army (SNA) factions have continued, and there were reports of Turkish airstrikes last week that hit SDF-controlled areas,” Pedersen said, expressing concern that the on-going clashes will undermine recent efforts to stabilise the region.
Pedersen welcomed recent talks between SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi and interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as “progress” and referred to their newly signed agreement aimed at integrating civil and military institutions across northern Syria with the Syrian state. The UN would continue to support this process, he noted.
However, Pedersen reiterated that such advances remain vulnerable in the face of intensifying violence and long-standing grievances. Referring to deadly attacks earlier this month in Syria’s coastal provinces, he said:
“The great hopes and fears of the Syria people have been starkly laid bare this past month… many rejoiced at being able to gather in public spaces.. but many others faced a harrowing episode of devastating violence on the coast resulting in civilian causalities and heightening fears in many quarters about the future.”
According to the independent UN Security Council Report, the violence began on 6 March, when armed groups linked to the former Assad regime launched ambushes against caretaker government forces in Latakia and Tartous. The attacks targeted military posts, internal security units, and hospitals. Between 6 and 10 March, hundreds of civilians were killed in retaliatory fighting, much of it along sectarian lines.
“The coordinated attack on the caretaker authority, the heavy counterattacks against this, and the mass killings of civilians all came against a background of already-fomenting insecurity,” Pedersen said in his briefing. He characterised the violence as “sectarian and retaliatory”, with reports of entire families being executed.
He called for “transparent and independent investigations” into these killings and stressed the need for accountability. “There are reports of civilians being killed by fighters from both the old regime and the new authorities, which is worrying,” Pedersen added.
He urged the creation of “an independent commission made up of members from all parties” and said it should uncover the facts “within 30 days”. Investigations, he said, must meet international standards, and “witnesses must not be threatened and their lives must be protected”.
The political transition remains uncertain. The formation of an interim government, expected by 1 March, has not yet been announced. While the caretaker administration has sought to rebuild institutions and promote unity, critics on the UN Security Council have expressed concern over a draft constitutional declaration that they argue gives excessive power to the executive and fails to protect minority rights.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher reported that Syria’s aid appeal last year was only 35 percent funded. “This caused us to reduce our humanitarian response by more than half,” he said, renewing a call for sanctions relief.
“The Syrian people need international support for economic recovery,” Fletcher stressed. “Sanctions must be rapidly and widely eased.”
Noting that the Atareb Water Station in Aleppo was now providing clean water to 40,000 people and electricity generation had resumed thanks to contributions from Jordan and Qatar, Fletcher warned that the overall response remains inadequate. “The cost of hesitation is greater than the risk of decisive action,” he said.
Pedersen concluded by warning that international divisions and inaction could deepen instability. He also raised alarm over Israel’s expanding military presence in Syria, saying, “Israeli statements about remaining in Syria are troubling.” He urged the Council to ensure Israel respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
As Syria emerges from 14 years of conflict, both Pedersen and Fletcher stressed that the fragile peace must be safeguarded through accountability, inclusive governance, and sustained international support. Without this, the country risks sliding back into violent fragmentation.
