Syria: Briefing and Consultations
Tomorrow morning (8 January), the Security Council will hold a briefing on the political and humanitarian situations in Syria. Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher will brief on political and humanitarian developments, respectively. Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, and Türkiye are expected to participate under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. Closed consultations are scheduled to follow the open briefing.
Tomorrow’s meeting takes place one month after the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad following a major offensive launched by rebel forces, involving Security Council-listed terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army (SNA), a coalition of armed groups allegedly backed by Türkiye. (For background and more information, see our 9,16, and 26 December 2024 What’s in Blue stories.)
Pedersen is likely to update members on recent developments in Syria and his engagement with the caretaker authorities in Damascus, as well as with regional and international stakeholders. In recent weeks, the caretaker authorities have continued to consolidate power, filling ministerial posts with individuals close to Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani), HTS’ leader and head of the newly formed administration in Syria. The authorities announced agreements with armed rebel factions to disband and integrate them into the unified Syrian national army. Recent media reports suggest that several foreign Islamist fighters have been appointed to senior military positions. Sharaa had reportedly also proposed granting citizenship to foreign fighters and their families for their role in the fight against Assad.
In late December 2024, the caretaker authorities announced plans to convene a national dialogue conference to bring together Syria’s different political and sectarian groups to discuss the political transition; however, some opposition groups had expressed reservations about the lack of transparency and limited representation. Although media reports had suggested that the conference might occur in early January, earlier today (7 January) the foreign minister of the Syrian caretaker government, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, said that more preparation time is needed and announced plans to establish an expanded preparatory committee to ensure broader representation from all segments and governorates of Syria.
Tomorrow, Pedersen is likely to underline that this is a critical opportunity for Syria to advance towards peace and stability, while highlighting the significant challenges to the political transition. He may reiterate support for the principles outlined in resolution 2254 of 18 December 2015 (which focused on a political solution to the Syria crisis) and affirm the UN’s readiness to assist the authorities in a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political transition that could result in establishing a non-sectarian and representative governance structure. During the 27 December 2024 closed consultations on the situation in Syria, Pedersen apparently said that the caretaker authorities had expressed reservations about the continuing relevance of resolution 2254, calling for it to be revised. He apparently encouraged the caretaker authorities to engage in dialogue regarding their concerns and cautioned that failing to achieve an inclusive and comprehensive transition could again lead to civil unrest. Tomorrow, some members may take note of the views expressed by the caretaker authorities and stress the importance of an inclusive transition process, including the involvement of women. They may also express support for Pedersen’s efforts, the UN’s facilitation role, and the principles outlined in resolution 2254.
At tomorrow’s meeting, Pedersen and some members might voice concern about the continuing hostilities in some parts of the country, particularly the north; stress the need to address tensions between military factions; and call on relevant parties to maintain calm and agree to a nationwide ceasefire. They may also underline the imperative to protect civilians, including religious and ethnic minorities. Some may express concern about reports of extrajudicial and revenge killings in some parts of the country. Members may also highlight the importance of combatting terrorism in Syria and the need to prevent the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL\Da’esh) and other terrorist groups from re-establishing their capabilities. Some might also underline the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and condemn the continuing Israeli airstrikes in the country. (For more information, see the brief on Syria in our January 2025 Monthly Forecast and 26 December 2024 What’s in Blue story.)
Recent weeks have also witnessed a flurry of high-level diplomatic engagement on the situation in Syria. Several countries, including Western and Gulf nations, have opened diplomatic channels and dispatched high-level diplomatic contingents to engage with the caretaker authorities. Most recently, on 3 January, the foreign ministers of France and Germany visited Damascus and held discussions with Sharaa. In her remarks following the meeting, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that the relationship of the European Union (EU) with the Syrian caretaker authorities hinges on ensuring that individuals of all ethnic and religious backgrounds have a role in the country’s political system and are adequately protected.
After assuming the role of foreign minister, Shibani embarked on a series of diplomatic visits. On 1 January, he visited Saudi Arabia with Syria’s Defense Minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra. This was followed by visits to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shibani said that these visits aim to build support for Syria’s “stability, security, economic recovery, and building distinguished partnerships”.
Yesterday (6 January), the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a general license for six months, authorising transactions with governing institutions in Syria. The authorisation also extends to transactions in support of the sale, supply, storage, or donation of energy, including petroleum, petroleum products, natural gas, and electricity, to or within Syria. The US also recently withdrew its $10 million “Rewards for Justice” offer for information on Sharaa.
At tomorrow’s meeting, Fletcher is expected to provide an overview of the dire humanitarian situation in the country and efforts by humanitarian agencies to deliver aid across the country. He is expected to elaborate on challenges relating to access to basic services like food and water. According to a flash update from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), released earlier today, hostilities and insecurity remain a challenge across Syria, resulting in movement restrictions and damage to vital infrastructure. It notes that humanitarian access remains difficult in parts of north-east Syria due to the ongoing closure of internal border crossings (that is, across conflict lines) and bridges damaged by recent fighting, restricting the movement of goods and people, including aid workers. The number of people displaced because of the recent military campaign peaked at 1.1 million in mid-December 2024. The number has decreased to 627,000, most of whom currently reside in Idlib. In addition to insecurity and ongoing displacement, the economic situation remains dire across Syria and is compounded by declining public services, according to the OCHA update.
Fletcher and several Council members are likely to stress the urgent need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure as well as humanitarian aid workers. They may call on the parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and emphasise the need for unhindered humanitarian access throughout the country. Denmark has taken on the role of the penholder on the Syria humanitarian file, replacing Switzerland, which completed its two-year Council term at the end of 2024.
Fletcher might also share impressions from his recent visit to the region and his engagements with the caretaker authorities and other actors in the country, as well as with officials from the neighbouring countries. He may underscore the need to follow up with the authorities on their commitment to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and highlight the urgency of securing additional funding for humanitarian operations. At the time of writing, Syria’s 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan, which required $4.07 billion, was only 33.3 percent funded. Tomorrow, members might seek an update about the efforts undertaken by the UN and humanitarian agencies to scale up aid delivery and the challenges impeding their operations. They may also be interested in learning about engagements with the caretaker authorities to coordinate aid efforts effectively.
