Syria: Closed Consultations
This afternoon (9 December), Security Council members will convene for closed consultations on Syria. Russia requested the meeting to address the latest developments in Syria and their implications for the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). Following this, the UK proposed broadening the scope of the discussion to receive an update on the overall situation in Syria, including developments on the ground and prospects of a political process. Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix are the anticipated briefers.
Today’s meeting comes against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving political and security landscape in Syria. On 27 November, rebel forces launched a major offensive that included Security Council-listed terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army, a coalition of armed groups allegedly backed by Türkiye, resulting in the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. This marked a pivotal shift in Syria’s 13-year civil war. (A ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia and Türkiye in 2020 had largely solidified front lines into zones of control among the warring factions, reflecting a fragile status quo.) The offensive, which began in the northwestern Aleppo governorate, quickly advanced southward towards the capital Damascus with little resistance from the Syrian armed forces. Rebel forces captured key cities along the offensive’s trajectory and, by 5 December, they had secured the strategically important city of Hama, followed by Homs on 7 December. Concurrently, opposition groups in the south launched attacks in the Daraa governorate and As-Suwayda city, creating a multi-front push toward Damascus.
Yesterday (8 December), the rebel forces announced that they had captured Damascus, with reports indicating that Assad had fled the country. Subsequently, the Russian news agency Tass reported that Russia, a long-time ally of Assad, had granted asylum to him and his family, guided by “humanitarian considerations”. It added that Russian officials had been in contact with representatives of the armed opposition groups, who provided assurances regarding the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria.
The situation on the ground remains fluid. The number of casualties from the recent hostilities remains unclear, with some reports estimating that over 571 people have been killed, including civilians and combatants from both sides.
In a statement released yesterday, Pedersen described the unfolding events as a “watershed moment” in Syria’s history. He expressed cautious hope that it could usher in a new era of peace, reconciliation, dignity, and inclusion for all Syrians. The Special Envoy highlighted the urgent need to establish stable and inclusive “transitional arrangements” in order to facilitate the continued functioning of Syrian institutions. He underlined the need to restore a unified Syria, upholding its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity in a manner that can receive the support and engagement of the entire international community. Pedersen appealed to all armed actors to maintain law and order, protect civilians, and preserve public institutions, while urging all Syrians to prioritise dialogue, unity, and adherence to international humanitarian law and human rights. At today’s meeting, Pedersen may reiterate some of these points and provide more information on the rapidly shifting political landscape.
Over the past few days, Pedersen has consulted extensively with key stakeholders, including international and regional actors, as well as representatives of the Assad government and opposition groups. On 4 December, the Special Envoy convened an ad hoc meeting of the Ceasefire Task Force (CTF) of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in Geneva, bringing together representatives from Russia, Türkiye, and the US. On the sidelines of the Doha Forum, he engaged with the foreign ministers of the Astana format (Iran, Russia, and Türkiye) as well as several regional countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Today, members are likely to be interested in any information from those meetings that could point to the emergence of a sustainable political process.
The developments in the country have prompted a range of reactions from the international community, spanning caution, concern, and optimism. In its remarks at a 3 December Council meeting on the situation in Syria, Russia condemned the rebel offensive, describing it as an “unprecedented terrorist attack”. It asserted that the offensive violated the 2020 ceasefire agreement and accused the rebel groups of further destabilising the already fragile situation in Syria. Russia also accused the US and its allies of providing support to the “terrorists” to varying degrees.
In a press briefing yesterday, US President Joe Biden described the end of Assad’s rule as a “fundamental act of justice”. Moving forward, he said that the US will engage with Syrian groups, including within the process led by the UN, to facilitate a transition to an independent and sovereign country. Biden reiterated the US’ commitment, among other things, to continue the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh). He pledged support for Syria’s neighbours—Iraq, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon—in dealing with any security challenges that may arise during the transition in Syria. Previously, the US had criticised the Assad government for its refusal to engage in a genuine political process and its reliance on Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, citing these factors as contributing to the conditions unfolding in the country. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a statement yesterday welcomed the departure of the Assad government, underlining the need for reaching a political solution, protecting civilians, and ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
In a joint statement yesterday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and members of the Astana format cautioned that the continuation of the Syrian crisis constitutes a dangerous development for the safety of the country and regional and international security. They stressed the urgent need to halt military operations in preparation for launching a comprehensive political process, based on Security Council resolution 2254 of 18 December 2015, which focused on finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis. They also underscored the importance of close coordination among the respective countries to effectively contribute to a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.
Another expected key focus of today’s meeting is the impact of the security developments in Syria on UNDOF’s area of operations. In a statement released yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria had “collapsed”, adding that the Syrian armed forces had abandoned their positions. (The 1974 agreement ended the Yom Kippur War and established a UN-monitored buffer zone in the Golan, establishing the areas of separation, a demilitarised buffer zone, and limitation, where Israeli and Syrian troops and equipment are restricted.) Netanyahu announced that he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to take over the positions abandoned by the Syrian armed forces to prevent any “hostile force” from establishing itself near Israel’s border, describing this decision as a “temporary defensive position”. Media reports quoted Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the IDF’s Chief of the General Staff, as confirming that Israeli forces had gone beyond the buffer zone and deployed troops into Syrian territory. Some media reports also indicated that the IDF has issued an “urgent warning” to residents of several southern Syrian villages close to the Israeli border, instructing them not to leave their homes until further notice for their safety.
In a letter sent today addressed to the President of the Security Council, Israel alleged that on 7 December, armed groups entered the area of separation, attacked UNDOF forces, temporarily seized several UNDOF posts, and looted equipment belonging to the force. It said that the IDF assisted the UN forces in repelling the attack. It further described Israel’s actions in the Golan as “limited and temporary measures”, adding that the IDF has deployed in a limited capacity in specific locations “where defensive measures are necessary to maintain security, stability, and preventing armed groups from threatening Israeli territory”.
Briefing at a 23 October Council meeting on Syria, Pedersen told Council members that the IDF had been carrying out construction activity in the Golan in the vicinity of the area of separation. As part of this activity, UNDOF observed an Israeli battle tank and excavators cross the ceasefire line into the area of separation. Media reports suggested that the construction, which began in July, included extensive earthworks and the building of trenches and embankments, with Israeli troops and equipment crossing into the demilitarised zone. Members are likely to seek a better understanding of the implications of these actions on the situation in the Golan.
Meanwhile, Israel and the US have continued to carry out strikes on positions within Syria. Yesterday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had conducted dozens of “precision airstrikes” against known ISIL camps and operatives in central Syria. The operation struck over 75 targets with an aim to prevent ISIL from conducting external operations and to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria, according to CENTCOM.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights—a UK-based monitoring group with a presence in the country—Israeli forces have carried out a series of intensive airstrikes across various locations in Syria since the announcement of Assad government’s overthrow, targeting weapons and ammunition warehouses. Earlier today, it reported that Israeli fighter jets struck weapons depots in the Ain Maneen village in the Al-Tal area, conducted airstrikes on positions in the northern Qara city in the Rif Dimashq governorate, and targeted military depots in Al-Koum, near Mahajjah town in the northern Daraa countryside.
Tags: Golan (Israel/Syria), Insights on the Middle East, Syria
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