Guterres attributes the escalation in Syria to “chronic collective failure” to resolve the conflict

MADRID Dec. 5 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, has regretted the “serious and dramatic” evolution of the situation in Syria, where the conflict has worsened as a result of a rebel and jihadist offensive that, according to the head of the United Nations, derives from years of “chronic collective failure.”

“After 14 years of conflict, it is time for all parties to engage with Geir Pedersen, my special envoy for Syria, to finally discuss a new inclusive and comprehensive approach to resolving the crisis,” said Guterres, in a direct call for dialogue and a “serious” political process that is currently resisting.

The latest offensive, carried out by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), has resulted in rapid advances on Aleppo and Hama. Guterres has warned that “thousands of civilians are in danger in a region that is already burning” and has urged all parties to protect the population, as established by International Law.

In this sense, he considered it “urgent” to cover the humanitarian needs of civilians, in a country experiencing “progressive fragmentation.” He believes it is time not only for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to be respected, but also for the “legitimate aspirations” of its citizens.

“Once again, I urge all (actors) with influence to do their part to end the long suffering of the Syrian people,” added Guterres, who confirmed that this Thursday he spoke by phone with the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish president has acknowledged in this call that the war in Syria has entered a “new phase” which, in his own words, “is being managed calmly.” Erdogan believes that it is time for Bashar al Assad’s regime to “urgently” begin a dialogue process to move towards a “political solution” to the conflict.

Türkiye is willing to “pave the way” for this process, according to a statement released by the Presidency.