The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that “more then 48,500 people where displaced due to fighting in northwestern Syria, from 26 to 30 last November, and that the numbers are changing rapidly.”
“The displacement situation remains highly fluid and partners are reviewing new data daily,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement.
The statement continued: “As of last November 30, about 48,500 people had been displaced, a number much larger than the 14,000 people reported by the Task Force on Internally Displaced Persons on November 28.”
In this context, the Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed his “concern about the recent escalation of violence across northwestern Syria, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, reminding all parties of their obligations under international law.”
The Secretary-General called for “an immediate return to the political process facilitated by the United Nations in accordance with Security Council Resolution No. 2254.”
United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, “The attack launched by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which is subject to Security Council sanctions, along with a wide range of armed opposition factions, changed the front lines that had been fixed since 2020.”
The Secretary-General stressed “the urgent need for the parties to seriously engage with Geir Pedersen, his special envoy to syria, in order to chart a extensive path out of the conflict in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254.”
he pointed to “reports of civilian casualties, the displacement of tens of thousands, damage to civilian infrastructure, and the disruption of basic services and humanitarian relief.”
The United Nations spokesman stressed “the need for all parties to protect civilians and civilian objects, including allowing the passage of civilians fleeing the fighting.”
On the humanitarian front, relief operations in parts of Aleppo, Idlib and Hama are still largely halted due to security concerns. Stephane Dujarric said: “Humanitarian workers are unable to access relief facilities, including warehouses, which has hampered people’s ability to obtain For life-saving assistance.”
Devlet Bahceli: It is not too late for Assad to engage in dialog with Türkiye
Devlet Bahceli,head of the Nationalist Movement Party,which is allied with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,said,“It is not too late for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to start dialogue with Turkey.”
Bahceli pointed out that “Al-Assad did not hold Turkey’s outstretched hand and covered his ears, and in our opinion, it is not too late, and it is in the interest of the Syrian president to establish dialogue with us, and he must establish contacts with Turkey without preconditions,” stressing that “Turkey It has no interest or ambitions in the lands of any country.”
The Turkish opposition leader sends a warning to Erdogan and extends his hand to “Assad”
Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozil sent messages to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, stating that “the dialogue is in the interest of both countries and benefits both sides.”
Ozil pointed out, “As the beginning of the war in Syria, government agencies have insisted on wrong policies regarding Syria. They have taken positions and issued statements that contribute to dividing Syria. They have accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of being a murderer and a criminal, and from the beginning, they have supported Salafist groups to participate in the civil war in Syria.” The neighbor, and they trained and supported her with weapons… and in doing so they are working contrary to all of Ataturk’s principles.”
He pointed out that,“Since the beginning of the Syrian war,Erdogan and the leaders of the ruling Justice and Advancement Party in Turkey have been making promises that they will pray at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus,and the Turkish official authorities have not maintained calm and stability in neighboring Syria,” stressing that “they must be dealt with
Ozil stressed that “the Turkish Parliament must be informed urgently of all developments in Syria,” addressing the Turkish official authorities,saying: “You must not be a tool in the hands of those who want to implement plans in the region.The Turkish Republic cannot be a tool.” A tool,” stressing that “neither Iran nor Russia should be our enemy, nor should we be hostile to them, nor should they aid plans to divide Syria.”
He addressed Syrian Bashar al-Assad, stressing that “when everyone gives up, we will remain present for dialogue, and we believe that a new page must be opened, and dialogue with Syria should begin,” stressing that “your and Syria’s good relations with Turkey are beneficial to you and to the benefit of Syria.”
Ozil warned President Erdogan, saying: “You must take lessons from the past, and do not take risks. Do not undertake adventures. Do not work on establishing projects for the destroyed Syria. step back from these adventures in Syria,” adding: “We, as the party of the founder Ataturk, say Ataturk left us a commandment, which is: Form good relations with your neighbors, do not interfere in the internal affairs of your neighbors, respect the unity and sovereignty of your neighbors, and do not address any outside elements. The state is with your neighbors.”
he continued, saying: “Unfortunately, because of all these wrong positions and policies, millions of Syrian refugees came to Turkey, and they are getting the job opportunities that are supposed for our youth, and they are getting social assistance from the state,” pointing out that “even now, and after all these… Over the years and everything that has happened, some still insist on making the same mistakes and adopting the same positions.”
Ozil stressed that “we cannot remain without commenting on what is happening now in Syria, and we must not abandon dealing with wisdom, calm and cold blood,” stressing that “we are alongside Syria that preserves the integrity of its lands, dose not pose any threat or harm to Turkey, and gives its decisions.”
He believed that “because of all of this, Syria today has become a cause of instability in the region and a state for proxy conflicts,” noting that “this state of instability is harmful to the Syrian state, and is primarily harmful to Turkey in the region.”
Ozil stated, “What we are waiting for is supporting stability in Syria, ending terrorist threats to Turkey… and the return of the Syrian refugees residing in Turkey to their homeland quickly,” adding: “Ankara’s priority and first goal should not be to weaken Iranian influence in the region, and start… Sectarian and sectarian wars, strengthening Israel’s control over the region and enhancing its security.”
He stressed that “it should not be one of Ankara’s priorities to ensure that Russia does not lose its positions and that Iran recovers,” stressing that “Turkey cannot follow the path opened by those who hold the Al-Nusra Front in one hand, and the Syrian Democratic forces in the other hand.”
Ozil warned the Turkish government against “returning the wrong policies that you were following in 2011 in Syria and stand away from plans to divide Syria… Syria is our neighbor, and so are Russia and Iran… and there is a necessity and need for our relations to be very good with all our neighbors,” noting that “The United States is our ally, and our good relations with the West are a necessity and need for Turkey, but we must not and cannot be working to achieve the interests of the United States or Russia in the region.”
He explained, “When we say we must meet with president al-Assad, our primary goal is to achieve stability and end the refugee problem in Turkey. Dialogue must begin between the two sides (Turkish and Syrian), and we in the Republican people’s Party have been steadfast in this position from the beginning.”
and Hama in northern Syria have witnessed intense attacks,described as “the most violent in years,” by the Syrian opposition forces,led by “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham – formerly the Al-Nusra front,” which led to the outbreak of violent fighting with the Syrian regime forces. He said yesterday that he killed 100 people with the opposition forces within one day, while the Syrian opposition continues to talk about its progress and control over new areas.
Last updated: December 3, 2024 – 14:57
What are the main causes of the humanitarian crisis in Syria?
Interview: The Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis in Syria
Editor (Time.news): welcome to our discussion on the rapidly evolving humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria. Joining us today is Dr. Sarah Al-mansour, an expert in international humanitarian law and conflict resolution. Dr. Al-Mansour, thank you for being with us.
Dr. Al-Mansour: Thank you for having me.It’s vital we talk about this issue, especially given the recent troubling reports from OCHA.
Editor: Indeed,OCHA has reported over 48,500 people displaced due to recent fighting. How significant is this figure, and what does it tell us about the current situation?
Dr. Al-Mansour: this figure is alarming and reflects a drastic increase in violence and instability in the region. The rapid shift—from 14,000 displaced just two days earlier to over 48,000—highlights the volatile nature of matters on the ground.It suggests that the humanitarian situation is likely worsening before we see any advancement.
Editor: The United Nations secretary-General has expressed concerns about civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. Could you elaborate on the implications of this escalation within the context of international law?
Dr. Al-Mansour: The Secretary-General’s emphasis on international obligations is crucial. Under international humanitarian law, all parties in a conflict are required to protect civilians and refrain from targeting civilian infrastructure. The recent reports of civilian casualties and inability to access critical humanitarian aid facilities underscore a severe breach of these obligations. it is imperative for all parties to engage in dialog and de-escalate hostilities, as mandated by resolutions, like Security Council Resolution 2254.
Editor: There have been calls for dialogue, notably from Turkish leaders like Devlet Bahceli and Ozgur Ozil, who urge Assad to engage with Turkey.How feasible is such dialogue considering the current tensions?
Dr. Al-Mansour: Dialogue is always an essential step towards resolution, but it requires sincerity from all parties involved. Bahceli’s proposal for Assad to engage with Turkey could open channels for interaction, but it must be pursued without preconditions and genuine interest in resolving underlying issues. Ancient grievances and current hostilities complicate this, but without diplomacy, the cycle of violence will continue.
Editor: Ozil’s warnings to Erdogan also highlight potential risks in Turkey’s foreign policy. How can Turkish leaders balance their interests in Syria while ensuring regional stability?
Dr. Al-Mansour: Balancing national security interests with regional stability is indeed a tricky endeavor. Turkish leadership must recognize the broader implications of their actions—supporting certain factions in Syria might have unforeseen consequences. They should focus on pragmatic approaches that promote peace and restrain from exacerbating divisions in Syria. Adopting a strategy that builds relationships rather than fosters conflict with neighboring countries can yield long-lasting benefits.
Editor: What role does the international community play in addressing this humanitarian crisis?
Dr. Al-Mansour: The international community, particularly the United Nations and its member states, must maintain pressure on conflicted parties to adhere to international law and human rights standards.Humanitarian assistance must be guaranteed access to all affected populations without discrimination. Support for mediation efforts, as well as funding for humanitarian operations, is also crucial to alleviate the suffering of displaced individuals.
Editor: With the situation appearing fluid and escalating, what immediate actions do you beleive are necessary?
Dr. Al-Mansour: Immediate actions should include an unconditional ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to allow for the safe passage of civilians. Following this, there should be a concerted push for dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict, fostering a space for inclusive political solutions that engage all stakeholders, including civil society and marginalized groups.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Al-Mansour, for your insights into this pressing issue. It’s clear that resolution will require persistent effort and cooperation among all parties involved.
Dr. Al-Mansour: Thank you for highlighting this critical humanitarian crisis. Raising awareness is the first step towards fostering change.