NEW YORK CITY: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for urgent action to secure the future of Syria, as the country marks the 14th anniversary of the start of its devastating civil war.
He condemned the immense human suffering caused by the conflict, which included the use of chemical weapons, barrel bombings, and prolonged sieges that turned food and medicine into weapons of war.
The civil war, which began in mid-March 2011, became one of the most devastating conflicts in modern history, as peaceful protests against the regime of President Bashar Assad quickly escalated into a brutal war involving multiple factions and foreign powers.
More than 500,000 people were killed, and over 13 million Syrians were displaced, about 6.7 million of whom sought refuge in neighboring countries and beyond. The war caused widespread destruction, leaving cities in ruins, and severe humanitarian crises, including shortages of food, water and medical care.
“The Syrian people have endured unimaginable hardship,” Guterres said, highlighting in particular the indiscriminate killing of civilians and the destruction of hospitals, schools and homes. Despite the devastation, he added, the calls of the Syrian people for freedom and dignity have remained “steadfast.”
On Dec. 8 last year the Assad regime collapsed in the face of a major offensive by opposition forces, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham. Since then, there has been a glimmer of hope for rebuilding and reconciliation, said Guterres.
However, he warned that “this much-deserved brighter future hangs in the balance.” All violence must end, he said, and he called for a credible, independent investigation into ongoing civilian deaths.
Entire families have been killed in the country’s coastal region in a recent series of sectarian attacks among rival groups, according to the UN. The violence broke out last Thursday when armed groups loyal to the ousted former president, Bashar Assad, ambushed security forces in the province of Latakia, killing at least 16 of them, the Syrian Ministry of Defense said.
“The caretaker authorities have repeatedly committed to building a new Syria, based on inclusive and credible foundations for all Syrians,” said Guterres.
“Now is the time for action. Bold and decisive measures are urgently needed to ensure that every Syrian — regardless of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or gender — can live in safety, dignity and without fear.”
He also reaffirmed the readiness of the UN “to work alongside the Syrian people and support an inclusive political transition that ensures accountability, fosters national healing, and lays the foundation for Syria’s long-term recovery and reintegration into the international community.”
Guterres added: “Together, we must ensure that Syria emerges from the shadows of war into a future defined by dignity and the rule of law, where all voices are heard, and no community is left behind.”
He urged the international community to stand with the Syrian people as they work to achieve this more peaceful and inclusive future.
On 14th anniversary of Syrian civil war, UN chief warns nation’s future hangs in the balance
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On 14th anniversary of Syrian civil war, UN chief warns nation’s future hangs in the balance
- Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns immense human suffering caused by a conflict in which chemical weapons were used, and food and medicine were weaponized
- ‘The Syrian people have endured unimaginable hardship,’ he says, but despite the devastation they remained ‘steadfast’ in their calls for freedom and dignity
Palestinian PM: Gaza reconstruction advancing amid US talks, Saudi support
- In an interview with Arab News, Mohammed Mustafa said “Palestinian objective is clear,’ but we need to ‘get Gaza right first’
- Speaking at Davos panel, PM calls Kingdom a key stakeholder in the Palestinian cause
DAVOS: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa told Arab News that progress is underway in Gaza’s reconstruction talks, with clear dialogue between the Palestinian Authority, US President Donald Trump and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
“I think the Palestinian objective is pretty clear, it has been for a long time, which is to establish their own independent state, (achieve) international resolution,” Mustafa said, noting that “we need to get Gaza right first.”
Despite a ceasefire taking hold earlier in 2025, Gaza remains under what the international community describes as an Israeli-enforced blockade. Basic supplies such as food and medicine are still subject to Tel Aviv’s scrutiny, which controls all access in and out of the Strip.
On Sunday, Trump announced that his Gaza plan had entered its second phase, in which Hamas would release all remaining hostages, Israel would free more Palestinian prisoners and fully withdraw its forces — a step international actors say should pave the way from ceasefire to lasting peace.
The formation of a technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, or NCAG, composed of Palestinian figures, marks the first concrete step toward implementing the plan and restoring Palestinian ownership of the next phase.
A precise timeline for reconstruction remains unclear, with analysts warning that major works hinge on Hamas disarmament — a politically fraught task assigned to the Gaza Peace Board.
“It’s going to take more than two years to fix Gaza, but at least we want to make sure that things are in the right direction,” continued Mustafa, adding that the West Bank remains part of the broader conversation.
He stressed the urgency of reunifying Gaza’s institutions with the West Bank to achieve the PA’s political goal of independence.
“Our priority is what’s happening to our people in Gaza today. Despite four months passing (after) the ceasefire, people are still dying. Yes, there is a ceasefire but it’s not fully observed due to Israeli military actions,” he said, stressing that “shelter is the biggest challenge” at the moment.
Mustafa revealed he held “very active and useful” talks with US officials on Tuesday, saying both sides “share the same goals” on the matter.
Later in his panel, Mustafa said a Palestinian reform plan is in the works with the help of partners including Saudi Arabia.
In a session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mustafa said Saudi Arabia and other partners such as Egypt and Jordan were not just contributors but key stakeholders in the Palestinian cause.
“Saudi Arabia along with France have been working with us on the two state solution and integrating it,” he said.
“We want to work with the board of peace to ensure that they do their part of things to prepare for reconstruction efforts,” he added.
Mustafa said although some view the Oslo treaty as outdated, it still holds its place as an internationally recognized framework.
“According to the Oslo agreement, Israel should have withdrawn from most of the West Bank and Gaza. We want to see Israel respecting this agreement,” he said.
“The Israelis did not respect the economic part of the treaty. We are praying for a heavy price, not only in Gaza and people being killed every day. But also actions on the ground in the West Bank. We said clearly, we want to achieve our goals by peaceful means,” he said.
“Israel today holds $4 billion of our government’s money. They control the borders and collect the tax fines. For the past four months they have sent zero dollars. Our ability to govern has been impacted due to this,” Mustafa said.
In a sideline interview with Arab News, Palestinian Ambassador to Switzerland Ibrahim Mohammad Khraishi said that he met an Egyptian minister who expressed hope that the Rafah crossing could soon reopen on both sides.
“We need the understanding from all,” Khraishi said. “Yes, we have this administrative committee (as part of the Gaza Peace Board), but without the Palestinian Authority, they cannot deliver. Because we have everything. We have the institutions, we have the government,” Khraisi said.
Commenting on recent West Bank developments, including Israeli bulldozers razing the UNRWA compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, he warned: “This is the scenario for the Israelis. For them, there is nothing to talk about. It’s total crash and destruction. Now, what they are doing in West Bank is on the way.”
