UN reports renewed clashes between interim forces and SDF in Aleppo, welcomes ceasefire talks and urges respect for sovereignty
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Summary
Najat Rushdie told the Security Council there were fierce clashes in Aleppo between interim authority forces and groups affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces but that parties agreed to de‑escalate and pursue ceasefire and technical talks; she also urged restraint over reported Israeli incursions in southern Syria.
Najat Rushdie, briefing the United Nations Security Council from Damascus, reported renewed intense clashes in the northeast and Aleppo city between interim authority forces and forces affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and said parties quickly moved toward de‑escalation and dialogue.
Rushdie said clashes erupted in Aleppo City but that, she welcomed, one day after the violence President Sharra and senior ministers met with SDF leadership in Damascus and agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire. She said subsequent technical talks between the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense and SDF representatives addressed military integration elements of the October agreements.
“We hope all parties advance in a spirit of compromise, both militarily and politically, to fully implement the 10 March agreements,” Rushdie said.
Rushdie also described renewed turbulence in the northeast, noting sporadic clashes on the margins and warning that the security environment remains fragile. She welcomed joint efforts by the United States, Jordan and the interim Syrian authorities to address the crisis in Suwaida and said confidence‑building measures were essential.
The briefing noted a recent visit by the UN Commission of Inquiry to Suwaida and emphasized that any solution must uphold Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity while addressing security and minority concerns, including those of Jewish and Bedouin communities.
Rushdie also condemned ongoing external interference and said “ongoing Israeli territorial incursions into Southern Syria must stop,” urging full respect for Syria’s sovereignty and the terms of the 1974 Agreement of Disengagement.
Her remarks urged all parties to refrain from statements or actions that could be seen as threatening Syrian sovereignty or civilian protection and welcomed continued dialogue between Syria and Israel as encouraging if it leads to meaningful results.
The briefing presented the ceasefire and talks as recent developments rather than finalized, durable settlements. Rushdie described the situation as fragile and called for tangible confidence‑building measures and continued international engagement to reduce the risk of renewed violence.