It is worth noting that opposition forces in Syria, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), recently attacked the capital Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad, after which Geyer Pedersen made this cautionary statement.
“Syria is now at a juncture where we face great opportunities and grave risks. And we really need to look at both,” UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said Tuesday.
“Of course we know that HTS is now largely in control of the country, but it is also important to remember that they are not the only armed group in Damascus.”
Images of jubilant scenes have been seen on the streets of the capital, Damascus, following the end of the Assad regime.
Geyer Pedersen told reporters in Geneva that during the handover, looting and “attacks on government buildings or private homes” had been reported, but those incidents appeared to have stopped, which was good news.
The prospect of peace is lost
Uncertainty prevails in the region far from the capital Damascus, with Syria’s 13-year civil war drawing regional and international parties involved in the country’s development, leading to ongoing UN-led peacekeeping efforts. interrupted
The UN Special Envoy said the conflict in the country’s northeast is not over; “There have been clashes between the Syrian National Army, the opposition and (Syrian Democratic Forces). We are clearly appealing for peace in this area as well.”
Special Envoy Geir Pedersen also drew attention to numerous reports of Israeli troop movements in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and bombing of targets inside Syria.
Geir Pedersen insisted, “It needs to stop. I am not in contact with the Israelis, but of course there is contact with the United Nations in New York.”
“And, you know, in the Golan Heights, UN peacekeepers are in daily contact with the Israelis. And of course, the message from the New York headquarters is exactly the same — that what we’re seeing is a violation of the 1974 moratorium.”
A period of deep uncertainty
Geir Pedersen, the UN envoy to Syria, cited his confidential talks with the Security Council to explain how the transition of power in the country is fraught with uncertainty.
He stressed that much remains unclear about HTS and its objectives. (Abu Mohammad Al) “Zolani himself mentioned in an interview with the American news network CNN that he was discussing the possibility of eliminating HTS.
“So, again, I want to emphasize that we are still in what we call very volatile times and things are not settled yet,” Geyer Pedersen said.
“There is a real opportunity for change, but this opportunity must be taken by the Syrian people themselves and supported by the United Nations and the international community.”
A significant potential obstacle to international negotiations with HTS is that the group is still listed as a terrorist organization in Security Council resolutions. As there is no international dialogue with this organization, opposition forces have been able to enter the capital Damascus through Aleppo, Hama and Homs.
It is worth noting that the Forum’s main resolution on Syria – No. 2254 – adopted unanimously in December 2015, expressly called on member states to stop and suppress terrorist acts committed by HTS’ predecessor Al-Nusra Front.
List of terrorists
Gayer Pedersen suggested that this terrorist list is likely to change. “You have to look at the facts and see what has happened in the last nine years. “It has been nine years since this resolution was adopted and the reality so far is that the Syrian people are receiving good messages and signals from HTS and other armed groups.”
“They’re sending a message of unity, of inclusion, and frankly, we’re seeing that in Aleppo and Hama, we’re also seeing reassurance on the ground.”
On the other hand, many Syrians displaced by the war are now preparing to return to their homes.
In such circumstances, the UN Special Envoy insisted that the Foreign Ministers of Türkiye, Russia, Iran and several Arab countries will meet jointly in Doha at the weekend. It expressed hope that Syria’s new regime would implement its initial commitments to a peaceful transfer of power.
The international community is also expected to ensure this.
“When I was leaving Doha, a Syrian family came up to me, they were living in Sweden and they said, ‘Mr Vepaderson, you know, we are very optimistic, we know there are many challenges,'” said the Syrian ambassador.
“We left Hama 10 years ago, we really want to go back there. We hope it will be possible. “And I think that’s really something that a lot of Syrians are still hoping for today.”