STORY: :: The UN chief urges an end to the
bloodshed in Syria amid rebel advance
:: December 5, 2024
:: Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
"I just spoke with President (Recep Tayyip Erdogan) Erdogan of Türkiye to discuss the latest. I emphasized the urgent need for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need and a return to the UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed. All parties are obligated under international law to protect civilians. Now, this latest offensive was launched into Government-controlled areas by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - a group sanctioned by the Security Council, along with a broad range of other armed opposition groups. It has led to significant shifts in the frontlines and tens of thousands of civilians are at risk in a region already on fire. We are seeing the bitter fruits of a chronic collective failure of previous de-escalation arrangements to produce a genuine nationwide ceasefire or a serious political process to implement Security Council resolutions. These must change."
Syrian rebels captured the city of Hama on Thursday, a major victory in a week-old lightning advance across northern Syria and a devastating new blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies.
After years locked behind frozen frontlines, the rebels have burst forth to mount the swiftest battlefield advance by either side since a rebellion against Assad descended into civil war 13 years ago. The capture of Hama gives them control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before.
