Türkiye: Syria advances toward stability despite regional unrest

Türkiye's ambassador to the United Nations said on Friday that Syria has remained among the least affected countries by regional turmoil since December 2024, describing the nation's gradual move toward sustainable stability as encouraging despite ongoing Israeli military actions. Speaking before the Security Council in New York, Ahmet Yıldız noted that Syria has been moving "slowly but surely" toward stability since the change in government late last year.

Yıldız criticized Israel's military activities in Syria as destabilizing while praising Syrian authorities for adhering to the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. "We reiterate our call on Israel to fully comply with this agreement without delay, refrain from further escalatory actions, and reverse its encroachment," he said, emphasizing that preserving stability in southern Syria remains essential for broader regional security.

Political transition and accountability

The Turkish envoy welcomed recent judicial proceedings aimed at holding officials from the former Syrian regime accountable for alleged human rights abuses. He described the planned convening of Syria's People's Assembly as "an important milestone" in the country's political reconstruction process.

Yıldız stressed the importance of completing the integration process in northeastern Syria and maintaining a unified state structure throughout the country. "There is no room for dual structures within the military, judiciary, or administration of a united Syria," he told council members.

Economic recovery and regional connectivity

Yıldız pointed to early signs of economic recovery emerging across Syria, noting that recent disruptions to regional trade routes linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have highlighted Damascus's strategic importance as a regional transit hub. "A stable and unified Syria can serve as a vital nexus connecting the Middle East, Türkiye, and Europe through trade, transportation, energy, and infrastructure networks," he said.

He cited a recent agreement signed by Türkiye, Syria, and Jordan to strengthen road and railway connectivity as part of broader regional integration efforts. The ambassador acknowledged that major challenges remain, particularly in rebuilding critical infrastructure damaged during years of conflict.

Security threats and humanitarian support

Yıldız warned that landmines, unexploded ordnance, and chemical weapons remnants continue to pose serious risks across Syria despite the decline in large-scale violence. The ambassador further cautioned that the threat posed by ISIS (Daesh) remains significant, warning that the terror group could attempt to exploit regional instability to regroup in ungoverned spaces.

He reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to humanitarian assistance for Syria, noting Ankara's longstanding role in facilitating the UN cross-border aid mechanism over the past decade. Although that mechanism has ended, he said Türkiye would continue supporting UN humanitarian operations in coordination with Syrian authorities and international partners.