Damascus - New York: Europe and the Arabs
The UN Security Council expressed its grave concern over the recent escalation of violence in the Sweida Governorate in Syria since July 12. It called on all parties to adhere to the ceasefire arrangement and ensure the protection of the civilian population.
In a presidential statement issued Sunday, the Security Council strongly condemned the violence committed against civilians in Sweida, which included mass killings and loss of life, and led to the internal displacement of approximately 192,000 people.
The Council urged all parties to ensure that the United Nations, its implementing partners, and other humanitarian organizations are able to deliver humanitarian assistance to all affected communities in Sweida and throughout Syria in a full, safe, rapid, and unhindered manner, and to ensure that all persons, including anyone who has surrendered, been wounded, detained, or laid down their weapons, are treated humanely. Providing Protection for All Syrians
The Security Council reiterated its call on the interim authorities to provide protection to all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation, and stressed that true recovery in Syria cannot be achieved without genuine measures to provide safety and protection for all Syrians.
The Council welcomed the statement issued by the Syrian interim authorities condemning the violence and taking steps to investigate and hold those responsible accountable. It called on them to ensure credible, prompt, transparent, impartial, and thorough investigations in accordance with international standards.
In its presidential statement—issued unanimously by its 15 members—the Council said: “The Syrian interim authorities must ensure that all perpetrators of violence are held accountable and brought to justice, regardless of their affiliation. The Security Council also takes note of the decision by the Syrian Interim Authorities’ Department of Defense to establish a committee to verify the affiliations and backgrounds of individuals involved in the violence, and stresses the importance of inclusiveness and transparency in justice and reconciliation processes and their urgent necessity for achieving sustainable peace in Syria.” The Security Council, recalling its resolution 2254 (2015), its presidential statement (S/PRST/2025/4), and its press statement of 17 December 2024, reaffirmed its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic and called upon all States to respect those principles.
Interference in the Political Transition Process
The Council condemned all forms of negative or destructive interference in the political, security, and economic transition process in Syria, noting that such interference undermines efforts to restore stability in the country, and called upon all States to refrain from any action or interference that could further destabilize the country.
The Security Council also called for respect for the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, including the principles relating to the buffer zone, as well as the mandate and role of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, and emphasized the duty of all parties to abide by its provisions, maintain calm, and de-escalate tensions. The Council noted the thirty-sixth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the Security Council Committee concerning ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida and emphasized the importance of combating all forms of terrorism in Syria.
It expressed its grave concern about the severity of the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, noting that this threat could affect all regions and Member States.
An inclusive Syrian-led political process
The Security Council also called for the implementation of an inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, based on the key principles of resolution 2254. This includes protecting the rights of all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation.
It emphasized that this political process must meet the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians, protect them, and enable them to determine their future peacefully, independently, and democratically.
The Security Council reaffirmed the important role of the United Nations in supporting the political transition process in Syria, in accordance with the principles set out in resolution 2254, and reiterated its support for the efforts of the Office of the UN Special Envoy in this regard.