Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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November 19, 2025 Peace and security
After five decades of dictatorship and fourteen years of war, Syria is striving for renewal. UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Roshdi stated this in her address to the Security Council on Wednesday. According to her, the situation for many civilians in the country remains dire.
Roshdi recently completed a trip to Syria. In Damascus, she met with representatives of the new government, as well as Syrians "from all regions and walks of life." Roshdi emphasized that what she saw during the visit "reminded us of the scale of the challenges and the need for a truly inclusive political transition."
The Deputy Special Envoy welcomed the adoption of Security Council resolution 2799, which removed from the terrorist list Syria's acting president and interior minister, Roshdi, called this "an important step toward Syria's reintegration into the international community" and also called for the lifting of mandatory secondary sanctions, calling them "a key obstacle to economic recovery."
Israeli operations in Syria
Addressing the Security Council, the UN representative emphasized that in Resolution 2799 The Council "reaffirmed full respect for the sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria." However, she noted, "Israeli military operations and incursions into Syrian territory continue, in serious violation of Syrian sovereignty and international law." She added that they endanger the safety of civilians, undermine the fragile peace, and threaten the political transition.
Ongoing tensions
Roshdi notedongoing tensions, lawlessness, and outbreaks of violence in several areas, including Deir ez-Zor and the outskirts of As-Suwayda. She emphasized that the continued presence of terrorist groups and foreign fighters remains alarming.
According to the rapporteur, peace in Syria depends on comprehensive security sector reform and credible disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes.
Transitional justice and the political process
The Deputy Special Envoy stated that progress in the areas of accountability and transitional justice is equally important. The UN stands ready to support the work of Syria's national commissions on these issues.
Speaking about the stages of transition, Roshdi noted that drafting a permanent constitution is a “fundamental task” and that free and fair elections will require “significant advance planning” and the rebuilding of institutions and infrastructure.
Humanitarian situation
Lisa Doughten, a spokesperson for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), speaking at the Security Council meeting on behalf of UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, reported that more than 16 million people across Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance. Specifically, more than 180,000 people are unable to return to their homes in As-Suwayda and surrounding areas.
Unexploded ordnance
An OCHA spokeswoman stressed that explosive remnants of war remain a serious threat: last week, she said, six people, including a child, were killed and 11 others were injured in six provinces of Syria.
Since December last year, more than 570 people have lost their lives and another 960 have been injured in this way, with most incidents occurring on farmland.
More than 3 million have returned home
Doughten noted that despite the difficulties, hope for a better future is reflected in the growing number of people returning home. Since last December, more than 1.2 million Syrian refugees have returned from neighboring countries, and more than 1.9 million internally displaced persons have also returned to their homes.
However, most of them still need support. According to the UN Refugee Agency, 70 percent of returnees face food shortages, and many report destroyed homes, a lack of income, and the need to renew their documents.
More than 400 camps and other facilities housing displaced people in northern Syria have been closed, but more than 1.2 million people – three-quarters of them women and children – continue to live in such conditions.
Achievements of the humanitarian operation
The UN and partners are helping 3.4 million people every month, a 24 percent increase over last year, despite funding cuts, Doughten said.
Efforts to vaccinate children, expand nutrition programs, and conduct the first national needs assessment continue. However, the current humanitarian operations plan is only 26 percent funded.
Doughten called on the international community to allocate more funds to meet the needs of Syrians and to invest in the country's development and reconstruction. She added that Syrians "don't want to be dependent on emergency aid," but they need support to get back on their feet.
The speaker noted that steps to ease sanctions and interest from regional partners create opportunities, but “the international community must act decisively to turn this opportunity into real support.”
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