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UN welcomes agreement between caretaker authorities and Syrian Democratic Forces, urges international support and broader ceasefire
Summary
The United Nations on Tuesday welcomed a March 10 agreement between Syria’s caretaker authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces and called on international stakeholders to support a nationwide ceasefire and a political transition consistent with Security Council resolution 2254.
The United Nations welcomed on Tuesday an agreement signed on March 10 between the leadership of Syria’s caretaker authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces and urged international stakeholders to back measures that could sustain a political transition and reduce violence.
A UN spokesperson said Special Envoy Geir O. Pedersen hopes the agreement “can support and feed into a credible and inclusive political transition process in line with the key principles of Security Council resolution 2254 that leads to a new constitution and free and fair elections.” The spokesperson said Pedersen “strongly encourages key international stakeholders, including the United States and Turkey and regional partners to support their Syrian partners,” including backing a nationwide ceasefire.
Humanitarian conditions in coastal areas remain fragile after recent violence, the spokesperson said. Power outages continue to disrupt water services in Latakia governorate, and schools in Latakia and Tartus have been suspended. The UN high commissioner for human rights welcomed the caretaker authorities’ announcement of an independent investigation committee and the UN called for the committee to be prompt, thorough, independent and impartial.
Meanwhile, cross-border assistance into northwest Syria from Turkey is continuing: the spokesperson reported that 31 trucks from the World Food Programme, the International Organization for Migration and the UN Refugee Agency crossed the Bab al-Hawa (Bridal Hawa) crossing and delivered more than 600 metric tons of aid supplies, including food, shelter repair and hygiene kits.
The spokesperson framed the developments as offering both hope and reminders of continued humanitarian need: the agreement is a possible step toward political progress, but urgent operational challenges — interrupted power, suspended schooling and limited humanitarian access in some areas — persist and must be addressed to protect civilians and sustain recovery.
The UN urged external actors with influence over parties inside Syria to use that leverage to promote a cessation of hostilities and to facilitate humanitarian access.
