From Tragedy to Opportunity, ‘New Syria’ Is Writing Its Own Story, Security Council Hears, as Speakers Laud Progress, Call for Sustained Recovery
While Syria has seen progress towards accountability and sustained international engagement, the Security Council heard today that unresolved tensions, economic hardship and repeated violations of Syria’s sovereignty persist as the country charts its path forward in a volatile region.
Syria has been in a transitional phase since the Government of former President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December 2024. While the country has remained largely insulated from the conflict initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran, it has contended with repeated Israeli incursions both before and after those hostilities commenced.
“Let me start by highlighting developments of critical importance in the fight against impunity,” said Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria. On 10 May, former security official Atef Najib appeared in court on trial for crimes committed in the city of Daraa at the outset of the revolution in 2011. Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad and others are being tried in absentia in the same case.
Noting that the indictment invokes both Syrian and international law, he said that this is a “commendable effort to situate accountability within a broader legal framework [that] reflects Syria’s international human-rights commitments”. In other “highly symbolic developments”, he noted that Amjad Yusef — a principal suspect for the 2013 massacre in the Damascene neighbourhood of Tadamon — was arrested on 24 April. And, on 29 April, former Major General Adnan Abboud Hilweh was arrested in connection with the 2013 chemical attack in Ghouta.
High-Profile Arrests ‘Test’ of Syria’s Commitment to Justice
“How Syria addresses these crimes will serve as a key test of the country’s commitment to justice and the rule of law,” he said.
On the security front, he noted persistent instability in the city of Sweida, urging concrete steps on accountability, rehabilitation, the provision of services and security. He also expressed concern over the Israel Defense Forces’ presence and military activities, calling on Israel to cease its violations of Syria’s sovereignty. “And terrorism has struck again,” he reported, as Da’esh claimed responsibility for a 1 May attack in Damascus.
“Economic hardship has fuelled protests and criticism in many parts of the country,” he went on to say. Nevertheless, he recalled attending the recent Syria Partnership Coordination Forum in Brussels — hosted by the European Commission and the Syrian Government — in which participants expressed a shared desire for sustained, coordinated engagement to support Syria’s priorities for economic recovery. “The United Nations is ready to play its part in these efforts,” he said.
Delayed Recovery Will Cost More Lives, Emergency Relief Coordinator Warns
If that recovery is delayed, warned Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, “it will end up costing more lives and more money”. Currently, about two thirds of Syria’s population — 15.6 million people — will require help in 2026, and pressure continues to increase with almost 400,000 people crossing the border from Lebanon since early March. Further, the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz has resulted in rising costs for food and fuel.
Yet, almost halfway through 2026, the humanitarian appeal is barely more than 16 per cent funded, he pointed out. Due to shortages, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to cut its emergency food assistance by half. Pointing to a sharp rise in cases of leishmaniasis, measles and hepatitis A, the persistent threat posed by unexploded ordnance and widespread gender-based violence, he underscored that “investing in recovery is essential for stabilization”.
Faced with these challenges, he stressed that international engagement and action are essential to restore hope for the millions of people displaced across Syria. He concluded: “If we fail to fund the completion of the humanitarian mission and an effective transition to Syrian-led recovery and stability, today’s gaps risk becoming tomorrow’s irreversible crises.”
From Humanitarian Relief to Development Progress
Many Council members underlined the need to act on this point, with the representative of Liberia — also speaking for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia — expressing concern over the economic deterioration and damaged infrastructure placing immense pressure on civilians. “As communities begin to return, the risk to them does not diminish,” he warned, calling for scaled-up risk education, accelerated demining and stronger survivor support.
The representative of the Russian Federation also expressed concern over the “colossal” humanitarian needs in Syria. He noted, however, the World Bank’s allocation of $225 million through the International Development Association to rebuild water and healthcare infrastructure, which is expected to benefit 4.5 million people. “This is precisely the kind of practical investment that the country needs today,” he stressed.
France’s representative, similarly, said that the World Bank’s re-engagement in Syria is a “milestone in the transition from a humanitarian-assistance model to a lasting economic development model”. He welcomed the restoration of the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Syria, adding that this dialogue facilitated the announcement of €625 million over three years to support recovery in Syria.
While noting the closure of the cross-border humanitarian operation from Türkiye as a “testimony to how far Syria has come since the fall of the Assad regime”, Denmark’s representative underscored that funding must be sustained and access continuously secured. She said the lifting of “most” sanctions and reestablishment of trade relations will help end dependence on aid as she, too, welcomed the restoration of cooperation between the European Union and Syria.
Bahrain’s representative called the renewed cooperation a “significant international development” that reflects support for reengagement towards Syria’s economic recovery. Calling on the international community to continue promoting economic and investment cooperation with Syria, he joined others in underscoring that Israel must withdraw from occupied Syrian territories.
Speakers Support Transitional Justice, Accountability
Continued Israeli incursions and violations of Syrian sovereignty are “condemnable and unacceptable”, stressed the representative of Pakistan, who pointed out that these actions violate international law and risk further destabilizing an already fragile regional environment. The representative of China — Council President for May — spoke in his national capacity to call on Israel to cease all military operations on, and withdraw from, Syrian territory “without delay”.
Rejecting “any and all occupation of Syrian territory”, Colombia’s representative joined others in recognizing the Government’s efforts towards securing justice. She said that investigating crimes committed during the conflict is crucial to satisfy victims’ legitimate demands, shed light on events and lay robust foundations for national reconciliation, truth and reparation. “These are crucial components of transitional justice,” she said.
Panama’s representative said that transitional justice, across various Council files — “such as, for example, in Colombia” — has successfully brought societies towards reconciliation and justice to victims. Further, it has helped people confront “bitterly tough post-conflict realities”. He noted efforts to shed light on the violence that occurred in Sweida, stressing: “This must be a priority to prevent other acts of sectarian violence.”
As for the legal proceedings already under way against former figures of the Assad regime, the United Kingdom’s representative welcomed this as “a powerful step towards accountability and justice” in Syria. The United States representative agreed, urging Syria to take advantage of UN expertise in pursuing justice. The arrests and trials of Assad-era officials mark “an important chapter in national reconciliation”, said Latvia’s representative, while her counterpart from Greece added: “We hope for catharsis.”
As some of Syria’s neighbours took the floor, the representative of Türkiye welcomed initiatives to bring perpetrators of the Assad regime to justice as “an important step toward reconciliation”. For its part, Ankara is working to support sectors in Syria that can improve conditions on the ground, including through a recent agreement with Damascus and Amman to broaden road and rail cooperation. He pointed out that trade disruption in the Strait of Hormuz highlights the “importance of stability” in the wider region.
Speaking for the Arab Group, Libya’s representative demanded Israel’s immediate withdrawal from the Syrian Golan and rejected any practices that undermine Syria’s stability. He also called on the international community to cooperate with the Syrian Government on early recovery and reconstruction to enable the dignified and safe return of Syrians. He also urged greater support for countries hosting Syrian refugees, as they “should not be left alone” to bear this responsibility.
In ‘New Syria’, Progress on Justice, Press Freedom, Returns
For his part, the representative of Syria said names that Syrians “used to whisper in fear” are now “being called out in court”. Transitional justice is advancing as a pillar of the “new Syria”, he said. Other positive developments achieved “during this month alone” include the country rising 36 places on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, over 3.5 million people returning to Syria and the country opening its doors to billions of dollars in opportunities and investment.
However, he added: “In Arabic, we say things are known by their opposites; unfortunately, this is the case with Israel.” When the Council talks about recovery and protecting civilians, Israel attacks. When Syria reaffirms its commitment to diplomacy, Israel attacks. When Syria commits to international law, Israel violates it. “And after all this contradiction and all this clarity”, he said that his people ask: “What will the world do?”