According to the Special Envoy, there is a risk of further division in Syria, which is not in the country’s interest.
“A large part of (Syrian) territory has come under the control of non-state actors, including the terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other armed groups, including the Syrian National Army.”
Geyer Pedersen said the total population of the area controlled by these groups is 7 million. Among them is Aleppo, the second largest city in Syria, with a population of about 2 million.
He said Syrian security forces were regrouping in the city of Hama, but they were under heavy pressure and opposition forces were advancing on the city.
Incidents of attacks on both sides have also increased. Backed by the government, security forces have targeted civilian facilities, including hospitals, with airstrikes, while terrorist groups have used drone and rocket attacks.
Special Envoy Pedersen said civilians were killed in the violent clashes. According to him, tensions have also risen in northeastern Syria where the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have taken control of villages. They have taken this step due to the threat of Islamic State (Daesh).
At the same time, there are reports of Israeli airstrikes in Damascus and the Syrian-Lebanese border, due to which there is a risk of increasing instability in the region.
Special Envoy Pedersen shared two important messages. First, there should be an immediate reduction of violent conflict and efforts to build peace in accordance with international humanitarian law.
At the same time, a credible political horizon must be sought for the Syrian people. He noted that violence has fluctuated over the past five years, partly because of the ceasefire efforts.
“But, it was limited to conflict management only without engaging in political processes to deal with the crisis. And that’s not enough.”
In view of this, he advocated a serious political process together with the various Syrian factions, which would require the support of the international community.
Geyer Pedersen said it was important to prevent the division of Syria, prevent the deterioration of the situation and avoid destruction.