I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States.
Let me first thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Mr. Salah for your briefings. I wish to especially thank Mr. Salah, for his and the White Helmets’ efforts to bring to the attention of the world, the repeated use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime against its own people. It is essential that you are here today.
Colleagues, the United States is closely monitoring the situation in Syria. For many years the Syrian government has been engaged in a civil war backed by Iran, Russia, and Hizballah. All three of those actors have recently been distracted and weakened by conflicts elsewhere – and so it is no surprise that we have seen actors in Syria try and take advantage of that over the last several days.
Indeed, the Assad regime’s ongoing refusal to engage in the political process outlined in Resolution 2254, and its reliance on Russia and Iran, created the conditions now unfolding, including the collapse of the Assad regime lines in northwest Syria.
At the same time, the recent rebel offensive – which the United States had nothing to do with – is led by a group, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, otherwise known as HTS, that is a U.S. and UN designated terrorist organization. We obviously have concerns about this group.
We will continue to fully defend and protect U.S. personnel and U.S. military positions, which remain essential to ensuring that ISIS can never again resurge in Syria.
Diplomatically, we have been in contact over the last several days with regional leaders, many of whom have joined us in urging de-escalation. We are also urging the protection of all civilians, including members of minority groups; the protection of civilian infrastructure; and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need.
We reiterate our call on all parties to commit to the principles of freedom, dignity, and safety of all Syrians. We are hopeful that the Syrian Opposition can play a role in ensuring those principles.
It is important that areas affected by recent fighting resume daily activities safely and as soon as possible. Toward that end, humanitarian access must be maintained, so that aid can reach all people in need.
The UN, which is working alongside NGOs responding on the ground, has an important role to play. We encourage strong support for its efforts, including to address the needs of internally displaced persons fleeing the fighting.
We further encourage all parties to cooperate with the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria, including to ascertain the fate and whereabouts of regime prisoners released from prisons in southern Aleppo. Some of these prisoners included wrongfully held political detainees. We must continue to stand with victims, families, and survivors who seek our support and, equally important, accountability.
Colleagues, the fact that HTS is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and UN does not justify the further atrocities by the Assad regime and its Russian backers. Since November 27, these have included attacks by the regime and its Russian backers on schools and hospitals in both Idlib and Aleppo, causing civilian casualties. The Council must speak with one voice in demanding that all parties cease brutal aerial attacks and adhere to international law.
We must also renew this Council’s demand that the regime not launch a chemical weapons attack, as it has done more than 50 times over the course of this conflict. And we must continue to hold the regime and its backers to account for these heinous actions.
For far too long, the Assad regime has lent out its own country to Hizballah and other Iran-backed militant groups instead of sitting down with the opposition. Russia has supported Assad’s intransigence, repeatedly blocking venues for UN-mediated talks.
Recent events serve as a stark reminder that Syria will never be at peace until Assad accepts a settlement that gives all Syrians a voice in the country’s future.
Again, the United States will defend and protect U.S. personnel and U.S. military positions in northeast Syria, which remain essential to ensuring that ISIS can never resurge.
We will continue coordinating closely with our partners in the region to deescalate tensions. And we will continue to support full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions that could bring a measure of peace and stability to Syria and protection to civilians, including religious minorities.