A tense standoff between the Syrian Government and Kurdish-led forces in the country's northeast risks igniting wider instability just as Syria struggles to emerge from years of conflict and authoritarian rule, senior UN officials told the Security Council on Thursday.
They urged swift implementation of recent agreements to prevent renewed fighting, protect civilians and preserve fragile gains made during the country's transition.
A country still on edge
One year into Syria's post-Assad transition, nearly three million refugees and internally displaced people have returned home, a sign of cautious progress.
But UN officials cautioned that the country remains extremely fragile after more than a decade of war.
The ISIL/Da'esh terrorist group continues to pose a persistent threat, sectarian and ethnic tensions remain unresolved, and the presence of foreign fighters and unsecured detention facilities raises serious security concerns.
UN support for Syria: At a glance
- Political transition: The UN continues to support a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process in line with Security Council resolutions 2254 and 2799 .
- Security Council engagement: In December 2025, the Security Council visited Damascus , meeting authorities, civil society and affected communities to show solidarity and bolster prospects of a better future.
- Rights, justice and accountability: UN-appointed rights panels have been supporting investigations and providing technical assistance to address impunity.
- Humanitarian assistance: UN agencies continue to deliver lifesaving food, health, shelter and protection assistance nationwide.
- Returns and recovery: The UN is backing safe, voluntary refugee returns and advocating for the removal of barriers to reconstruction and economic recovery .
