Damascus - New York: Europe and the Arabs
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric welcomed the US move to lift a significant portion of the economic sanctions imposed on Syria. UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen described the US move as an important step towards recovery, stability, and building a better future, and stressed the importance of giving the Syrian people a real opportunity to rebuild their country. According to the UN daily news bulletin, Stéphane Dujarric said in his daily press conference: "We have emphasized, and continue to emphasize, the importance of ensuring full use of all sanctions relief measures, and providing financial support and resources in conjunction with their easing."
He stressed that, alongside sanctions relief, a transparent and inclusive political transition—along with security and protection for all Syrians—remains the cornerstone of any lasting stability in Syria.
Inter-agency Mission
On the humanitarian front, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the UN Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, completed a three-day inter-agency mission to the northwest of the country, to Aleppo and Idlib governorates, to assess humanitarian needs there. The office said the team met with interim local authorities, displaced communities, and people who have returned to their communities. The team also visited a healthcare center in Maarat al-Numan, Idlib Governorate, which was rehabilitated by the World Health Organization and its partners. The center provides healthcare, vaccinations, emergency care, and maternal care to more than 100,000 people.
OCHA also reported that cross-border aid deliveries from Turkey have increased significantly this year, with more than 1,400 trucks crossing into Syria as of Monday. This represents five times the number of trucks entering compared to the same period last year.
The office said that since January of this year, more than 1.6 million men, women, and children have received food, healthcare, shelter, and other support.
Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that explosive ordnance contamination continues to have deadly effects across Syria. He added that since the beginning of 2025, more than 390 civilians have been killed across the country, including more than 100 children, and more than 500 civilians have been injured by these munitions.