The UN Security Council expressed grave concerns on Sunday about the ongoing violence and attacks on civilians in Syria's Sweida region. In a recent session, the Council adopted a presidential statement, strongly condemning the acts of violence and urging all parties involved to adhere to the ceasefire and protect civilians.

The statement, documented as S/PRST/2025/6, though not yet published, reflects the Council's call for Syrian interim authorities to ensure justice is served through "credible, swift, transparent, impartial, and comprehensive investigations," aligning with international standards. This follows announcements by Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, about the formation of fact-finding committees aimed at holding perpetrators accountable. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have also pressed for the publication of full investigative reports on the attacks.

Reiterating its stance from Resolution 2254 (2015), the Security Council emphasized the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. The resolution also demands an immediate halt to any attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen highlighted the escalating risks of violence in the region, underscoring the fragile journey toward peace.

The issue of terrorism was also addressed, with the UN expressing concerns about terrorist groups like ISIL and Al-Qaeda using Syria as a strategic base for external operations. The Council's latest report underlines the need for Syrian interim authorities to intensively combat these extremist threats.

Since mid-July, the violence has led to over 191,000 internal displacements within the As-Sweida Governorate, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in a country where over 16.5 million people already require aid, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The situation is particularly dire for women and girls, who have been the targets of numerous abductions, and the recent mass killings of civilians at the start of the year have only intensified calls for justice and accountability.

The UN Security Council's engagement highlights the international community's ongoing concern and commitment to resolving the Syrian crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for peace, protection, and justice for its beleaguered citizens.