In a fervent appeal to the international community, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Syria amid a recent surge in violence. Speaking through his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, during a press briefing on Monday, Guterres expressed deep alarm over the escalating conflict, particularly in the northwest region of the country.
“The Secretary-General is alarmed by the recent escalation of violence across northwest Syria,” Dujarric conveyed. “He calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and reminds all parties of their obligations under international law, including humanitarian law.”
The appeal comes in the wake of intensified clashes initiated last week by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the UN Security Council, and allied opposition factions. The group launched a significant offensive in northwest Syria’s Aleppo region, altering front lines that had remained static since 2020.
The renewed conflict has led to reports of civilian casualties, the displacement of tens of thousands of people, damage to critical infrastructure, and interruptions in essential services and humanitarian aid. Guterres urged all parties involved to protect civilians and civilian objects, emphasizing the importance of allowing safe passage for those fleeing the hostilities.
“Syrians have endured conflict for nearly 14 years. They deserve a political horizon that will deliver a peaceful future, not more bloodshed,” Guterres stressed, underscoring the urgent need for all parties to engage seriously with his special envoy for Syria. He called for a return to the UN-facilitated political process in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).
On the ground, the Syrian army reported repelling a major offensive by rebel factions in the northern countryside of west-central Hama Province. According to Syrian state television, the army thwarted the attack and re-established control over key areas that had briefly fallen into rebel hands.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, noted that rebel factions under the banner of “Deterring the Aggression” launched rocket attacks on neighborhoods in the city of Hama for the first time. The shelling reportedly hit the al-Baath neighborhood, resulting in the deaths of six civilians and injuring others. Additionally, Syrian state media reported that air defenses in Hama confronted drones flying over the city.
The conflict’s intensification has seen rebels making significant advances. By Sunday, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied groups had seized large parts of Aleppo city and were advancing southward toward Hama. In response, the Syrian army announced intensified operations in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, claiming to have eliminated over 400 militants in the past 24 hours with Russian support.
The United Nations continues to monitor the situation closely, with Guterres emphasizing that the Syrian people need a peaceful resolution now more than ever. The call for cessation of hostilities is a plea to safeguard the lives of civilians and to pave the way for a lasting peace through dialogue and adherence to international agreements.
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With input from Xinhua.
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UN chief calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in Syria
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