United Nations (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 19 Mar 2026) Pakistan He stressed the need to protect Syria amid the worrying escalation in Syria middle The East – specifically the US-Israeli war on Iran and the conflict in Lebanon – is now spilling over into Syria and threatening its recovery, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024.
“In such a complex and volatile environment, it is essential that Syria is insulated from these destabilizing developments while gradually moving towards recovery and stability,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council, which discussed the situation in Syria.
In this regard, the Pakistani envoy stressed the need to continue the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process to advance in a credible, comprehensive and timely manner towards completing institutional arrangements, including legislative structures. “We look forward to the conclusion of the parliamentary process in the northeast, as well as the appointment of the remaining 70 members of the Legislative Council,” he added.
He said Pakistan also supports the continued engagement and constructive role of the United Nations.
Ambassador Asim Ahmed welcomed the January 30 agreement between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led coalition of leftist ethnic militias, as a constructive step towards national integration, and called for its effective implementation through continued dialogue, mutual trust and a commitment to avoid actions that could undermine trust. Recent steps taken by the Syrian government, including institutional appointments, have been encouraging.
Regarding the security transition, he said that the integration of armed groups into unified national structures, effective border management, and intensifying efforts to combat terrorism, including against ISIS, must remain key priorities. The presence of foreign terrorist fighters remains a serious threat and requires coordinated international attention.
On the economic front, the Pakistani envoy indicated improvement, but said it was still fragile. Lifting sanctions creates legal space for state activity, banking, transportation, energy, and reconstruction, but recent regional developments could undermine these efforts.
“The openness created by the easing of sanctions must be exploited effectively by strengthening institutions,” he said.
On the humanitarian level, he said that the situation remains dire for millions of Syrians, stressing the importance of scaling up early recovery efforts, including through adequate funding and support for basic services, infrastructure and livelihoods.
He said that Israel must vacate its illegal occupation of the Syrian Golan, and fully respect the 1974 Disengagement Agreement in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolutions 338 and 497.
He added: “Respect for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity is essential.”
Earlier, Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, and Joyce Msoya from the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, briefed the ambassadors alongside Syrian Olympic athlete Yusra Mardini, Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Cordone began by addressing how the “troubling regional escalation” is impacting Syria, which continues on a path of political transition more than a year after the overthrow of the Assad regime and 14 years of civil war.
He added, “The incidents inside Syrian territory mainly revolved around falling debris after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted in Syrian airspace, which led to civilian casualties, and a bombing incident from Lebanon attributed to Hezbollah.”
Israeli helicopter and drone operations in Syrian airspace also increased, and Israeli forces continued to carry out incursions into Syrian territory.
Furthermore, Israeli air strikes on Lebanon killed both Lebanese and Syrian citizens, and forced approximately 140,000 people, most of them Syrian citizens, to cross into Syria in search of safety.
He added: “In this context, I repeat our call on Israel to fully respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adhere to the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, and refrain from any actions that would undermine stability and political transition in Syria.”
The envoy praised the Syrian government for cooperating with regional and international stakeholders to insulate the country from further escalation and ensure that its territory is not used in ways that could lead to an expansion of the conflict.
Ms. Msuya, UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, presented a report on the humanitarian aspects of the crisis.
She added: “For Syria, this escalation adds new pressure at a fragile moment – a moment that still offers a real opportunity for progress.”
She indicated that the falling rubble led to the death or injury of many people, in addition to causing damage to property, while dozens of people who fled from Lebanon join about 1.5 million refugees who have returned from neighboring countries since December 2024.
Ms Mardini – a member of the first refugee team to compete in the Olympics – described herself as a child of war. She said that half of the children in Syria today have not known a single day of peace.
Mrs. Mardini stressed that her country needs years of recovery, not just physical. She added: “Syria also needs reconciliation and societal healing. A future in which no religious sect divides us, and no preference for one group over another. We must break down the walls of division, not build new ones.”
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