UN envoy in Syria warns of threats to sovereignty and criticizes Israel’s military presence

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MADRID Jan. 8 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, warned this Wednesday before the UN Security Council that, a month after the fall of Bashar al Assad’s regime, there continue to be “very real threats to sovereignty, Syrian unity and territorial integrity”, while denouncing Israel’s continued military presence.

Although the situation in Syria “seems to be going well” in much of the country, in the coastal area, as well as the governorates of Homs and Hama, also in the far northwest of the country, there have been “multiple reports of incidents of violence.” The last strongholds of supporters of Al Assad are located in these areas.

Adding to the internal conflict is the Israeli military presence further east of the Golan Heights, theoretically Syrian but annexed by Israel in the 1980s. Pedersen has acknowledged that the UN is “deeply concerned by the continued Israeli military presence and activity.” “. At the same time, the Islamic State terrorist group “remains a significant concern.”

In summary, Pedersen has pointed out that there are “great opportunities” for Syria, although there are also “real dangers” for a country that is trying to chart a new course after the fall of Al Assad and with the new jihadist authorities under the command of the organization. Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) and its leader, Ahmed al Shara, also known as ‘Abu Mohamed al Golani’.

Thus, Pedersen has extended the hand of the United Nations to work with these new authorities “towards a credible and inclusive transition.” According to the UN envoy in Syria, the country’s population continues to have great needs and there is uncertainty about “the path forward in the political transition.”

The Al Assad regime fell at the beginning of December after a dazzling offensive by rebels and jihadists – led by Al Golani and HTS – that culminated with the departure of the president after 24 years in power, which is added to the other 29 that there was his father, Hafez al Assad.