Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
January 22, 2026 Peace and security
At the UN Security Council meeting on Thursday, two key speeches were delivered on the political and humanitarian aspects of the current situation in Syria. In the second year since the fall of the Assad regime, the country is facing serious military upheaval and a massive humanitarian crisis, threatening to undermine the fragile gains of recent months.
Since the beginning of the year, the situation in northern and northeastern Syria has deteriorated sharply. According to UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari, negotiations between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are primarily Kurdish militias, reached an impasse again on January 4, following which fierce fighting broke out in Aleppo.
The clashes, which lasted several days, led to a mass exodus of civilians: tens of thousands of Syrians were forced to flee their homes, dozens were killed, and hundreds were injured. Ultimately, SDF forces retreated across the Euphrates River, and on January 17, government forces captured significant territories previously controlled by Kurdish forces.
Disrupted negotiations
The efforts of international mediators led to the announcement of the signing of the "Agreement on a Ceasefire and Full Integration," but the very next day, negotiations broke down and fighting resumed. It was only on January 20 that the parties announced they had reached a "mutual understanding" and arranged a four-day pause for consultations. Despite this, the situation remains extremely tense, with localized clashes continuing.
A hard winter
A report on the humanitarian situation in Syria, presented by Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), added alarming statistics to the political picture. In the city of Raqqa alone, more than 13,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in recent weeks. In Aleppo, Hasakah, and Deir ez-Zor, infrastructure and communication lines have been destroyed, hospitals are closed, and children are unable to attend school.
The situation is exacerbated by the winter cold: in the camps for internally displaced persons in the north of the country, where approximately 160,000 people are concentrated, shelters have been destroyed and children have died from the cold. Meanwhile, the country's humanitarian support programs are only funded at a quarter of what is needed.
Political transformation
Despite existing challenges, the speakers noted important steps toward Syria's political transformation. Over the past year, nearly three million refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their homes. New institutions are being formed—the People's Assembly, the Constitutional Committee, and the Constitutional Court. The government is taking steps in the area of justice and the fight against impunity, although Syrian society expects more. Separately, they noted the decree on the linguistic, cultural, and civil rights of the Kurds—a step that could become the basis for deeper national reconciliation.
ISIS continues to pose a real threat to stabilization in Syria, especially amid the chaos in the northeast. Armed clashes and tensions among the Druze community continue in Sweida. Israeli operations in the south violate Syrian sovereignty. Uncleared mines are a major cause of civilian deaths and injuries.
There is hope, but people need peace
The speakers believe that stabilizing Syria depends on several key factors. First and foremost, a sustainable ceasefire and a resumption of political dialogue are essential, as without them, any gains will eventually be undone. Equally important is a significant increase in humanitarian and recovery funding: only a third of the required funds were received in 2025, preventing UN humanitarian agencies from assisting 10 million people in need. Finally, proactive diplomacy and international support for the transition are essential.
Edem Vosornu concluded her speech with the story of an Aleppo resident who lost her small business in the recent fighting. The woman said, "We've been through a lot and are very tired. All we want is peace and security." According to Vosornu, this statement reflects the general sentiment of millions of Syrians: there is hope, but people need peace, and the country as a whole needs the political will of its leaders and the financial support of the international community.
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