Pakistan urges shielding Syria as regional war spillover threatens fragile recovery

• Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad warns Middle East escalation now reaching Syrian territory

• Envoy calls for insulating Syria from destabilising fallout as push for inclusive, Syrian-led political transition gains pace

• Sanctions relief offers opportunity, but risks remain high as humanitarian crisis deepens amid displacement surges

 UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has underscored the need to safeguard Syria amid the alarming escalation in the Middle East—particularly the US-Israeli war on Iran and the conflict in Lebanon—now spilling into Syrian territory and threatening its fragile recovery following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024.

“In such a complex and volatile environment, it is imperative that Syria is insulated from these destabilizing developments as it gradually moves toward recovery and stabilization,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, told the UN Security Council during a debate on the situation in Syria.

The Pakistani envoy stressed the importance of sustaining a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that advances in a credible, inclusive, and timely manner toward completing institutional arrangements, including legislative structures.

“We look forward to the conclusion of the parliamentary process in the northeast, as well as the appointment of the remaining seventy members of the legislature,” he said.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the United Nations’ continued engagement, Ambassador Ahmad also welcomed the January 30 agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces—a Kurdish-led coalition—as a constructive step toward national integration. He called for its effective implementation through sustained dialogue, mutual trust, and a commitment to avoiding actions that could undermine confidence, noting that recent institutional appointments by the Syrian government were encouraging.

Addressing the security transition, he emphasized that the integration of armed groups into unified national structures, effective border management, and intensified counterterrorism efforts—including against Daesh—must remain key priorities. He warned that the presence of foreign terrorist fighters continues to pose a serious threat requiring coordinated international action.

On the economic front, the envoy noted that while there have been signs of improvement, the situation remains fragile. He said sanctions relief has created legal space for state activity in sectors such as banking, transport, energy, and reconstruction, but cautioned that ongoing regional tensions could undermine these gains.

“The opening created by sanctions relief must be effectively utilized through strengthened institutions,” he added.

Highlighting the humanitarian situation, Ambassador Ahmad said conditions remain dire for millions of Syrians, underscoring the need to scale up early recovery efforts through adequate funding and support for basic services, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

He also reiterated that Israel must end its illegal occupation of the Syrian Golan and fully comply with the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolutions 338 and 497.

“Respect for Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity is imperative,” he stressed.

Earlier, UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone, UN humanitarian official Joyce Msuya, and Syrian Olympic athlete and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Yusra Mardini briefed the Council.

Cordone outlined how the “alarming regional escalation” is affecting Syria, which remains on a fragile path toward political transition more than a year after the fall of the Assad regime and following 14 years of civil war.

He said incidents inside Syria have largely involved debris from intercepted Iranian missiles and drones falling into Syrian territory, causing civilian casualties, as well as one instance of shelling from Lebanon attributed to Hezbollah.

He added that Israeli helicopter and drone activity in Syrian airspace has increased, alongside continued incursions by Israeli forces into Syrian territory.

Additionally, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed both Lebanese and Syrian nationals and forced around 140,000 people—mostly Syrians—to flee into Syria in search of safety.

“I reiterate our call on Israel to fully respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adhere to the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, and refrain from actions that could undermine Syria’s stability and political transition,” Cordone said.

He also commended the Syrian government for engaging with regional and international stakeholders to prevent further escalation and ensure its territory is not used in ways that could widen the conflict.

UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya highlighted the humanitarian dimension, warning that the escalation is placing additional strain on an already fragile situation.

“For Syria, this escalation adds new strain at a fragile moment—one that still offers a genuine opportunity for progress,” she said.

She noted that falling debris has caused casualties and property damage, while those fleeing from Lebanon are joining approximately 1.5 million refugees who have returned from neighboring countries since December 2024.

Speaking to the Council, Yusra Mardini described herself as a “child of war,” noting that half of Syria’s children have never experienced a single day of peace.

She emphasized that Syria’s recovery must go beyond physical reconstruction.

“Syria also requires reconciliation and societal recovery—a future where no religious sect divides us, and no group is favored over another. We must break down the walls of division, not build new ones,” she said.