The United Nations’ Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, announced last Saturday that the organization will begin withdrawing its non-critical personnel from the country as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the UN team while maintaining essential operations. In a statement issued by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Abdelmoula explained that this reduction is being strategically carried out in response to the evolving circumstances on the ground.
Despite the relocation of personnel, Abdelmoula emphasized that this is not an evacuation. “Our commitment to supporting the people of Syria remains unwavering,” he commented, dismissing rumors of a total evacuation of UN personnel. He assured that the organization is committed to continuing to provide vital assistance at this critical time.
The humanitarian situation in Syria is concerning. Over 300,000 people have been recently displaced in the northwest of the country due to a massive offensive led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, considered by the UN Security Council as a terrorist organization. Abdelmoula warned that the situation continues to deteriorate, with numerous displaced individuals seeking refuge in northeast Syria and others trapped in combat zones without escape. During this process, civilian casualties, including women and children, have increased, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian action.
The humanitarian coordinator called on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and humanitarian workers, reminding them of their obligations under international humanitarian law. He assured that the UN continues its work in the country, working to provide food, water, and medical assistance to those most in need.
In the political sphere, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, urged for urgent talks in Geneva to promote an “orderly political transition.” Pedersen called for de-escalation and civilian protection, emphasizing the importance of initiating a process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. Recently, he met with ministers from Iran, Russia, and Turkey, and held talks with representatives from the United States, France, Great Britain, Germany, and the European Union.
The envoy highlighted the need to implement Security Council resolution 2254, adopted in 2015, which establishes a framework for peace in Syria and a Syrian-led political process, in the context of the conflict that arose after the civil uprising against the Government. Pedersen expressed satisfaction with the support for his appeal from the ministers he has spoken with and anticipated the possibility of announcing the date of the talks soon.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
