SRINAGAR: The UN’s top official in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, has stressed the urgent need for unity, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction as the country faces the aftermath of over a decade of war. Speaking from Damascus on Friday, he warned that the stability of Syria is critical not only for the region but for the entire world, emphasising that “the success of the transition hinges on the ability of the leaders – all the leaders – to come together and forge a joint path ahead.”
Abdelmoula pointed to the dire humanitarian situation, with nearly 17 million people in need of assistance and additional challenges posed by the return of refugees and an influx of displaced people from Lebanon. “If we don’t manage the humanitarian situation very carefully and adequately, this could also create a climate of instability,” he said, highlighting the risks of exploitation by terrorist groups, particularly ISIL.
The UN official underscored the importance of addressing the needs of Syria’s diverse population, stressing the need for an inclusive transition. “If a faction or a small number of factions try to exclude the others, that could lead to renewed fighting and instability,” he warned. He further called for international support in the country’s reconstruction, urging the Syrian authorities and their neighbours to collaborate in rebuilding Syria’s shattered infrastructure. “The stability of Syria will benefit everyone – not only the sub-region but the entire world,” he noted.
Abdelmoula also addressed the challenges of engaging with the current authorities, notably Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the armed group now in control. While the HTS is listed as a terrorist organisation by the UN Security Council, the UN has continued to interact with it to deliver humanitarian aid, adhering to its principles of neutrality and impartiality. “We are bound by the core humanitarian principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality,” he explained.
He also acknowledged ongoing violence in parts of the country, particularly in the northeast and northwest, where battles persist between various factions, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and HTS. However, he reported signs of stability in areas not currently engaged in active conflict, noting that “there is a semblance of peace” in parts of the country, which has allowed the UN to begin scaling up its humanitarian operations.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Abdelmoula expressed cautious optimism for Syria’s future. “We can’t afford not to be hopeful because anything else would be very, very difficult to even contemplate,” he said, recognising the suffering of the Syrian people over the past decade but urging for international cooperation to bring lasting peace to the country
