NEW YORK: The Syrian Arab Republic’s political transition is under acute strain following a month of spiraling violence, Israeli attacks, mounting civilian casualties, and growing fears of national fragmentation, the UN special envoy for the country warned on Monday.
Briefing the UN Security Council on the latest developments, Geir O. Pedersen condemned the outbreak of intercommunal fighting in Sweida and called Israel’s airstrikes “dangerous” and “unacceptable,” urging all parties to respect Syria’s sovereignty and international law.
“This past month has rocked Syria’s transition,” he said. “Mass casualties, foreign intervention and a surge in violations have drained public trust and created new dangers of fragmentation.”
Violence erupted on July 12 in Sweida following a cycle of mutual kidnappings that escalated into armed clashes between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes.
The deployment of Syrian government forces aimed to restore order but rapidly unraveled amid accusations of serious abuses, including extrajudicial killings and destruction of property.
