UN Sounds Alarm Over Syria As Sectarian Clashes, Israeli Strikes Flare
The Druze-majority Sweida governorate, long relatively insulated from earlier phases of Syria's 14year conflict, has now become a flashpoint.
Briefing an emergency meeting of the Security Council, UN Assistant SecretaryGeneral Khaled Khiari painted a grim picture: hundreds of casualties among soldiers and civilians –including women, children and the elderly – alongside reports of mass displacement, attacks on infrastructure, and hospitals 'at or near capacity' amid power and water cuts.
' There were further alarming reports of civilians, religious figures and detainees being subjected to extrajudicial executions and humiliating and degrading treatment,' he said.
Violent reprisals and looting have devastated communities, with graphic footage circulating widely on social media amplifying fear and anger.
He urged all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Timeline of escalation
12 July: Series of mutual kidnappings in Sweida escalate into armed clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze armed groups.
14 July: Syrian security forces deploy to 'halt clashes' and 'restore order'. At least 10 personnel reportedly killed by Druze armed groups, others abducted. Reports surface of the abuses against civilians as forces enter Sweida.
Clashes intensify, leaving hundreds dead or wounded among security forces and Druze fighters, casualties also reported among Druze and Bedouin civilians, including women, children and the elderly. Sectarian rhetoric surges on social media.
15-16 July: Hundreds of Druze from the occupied Syrian Golan and Syria gather on both sides of the ceasefire line, in the presence of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), expressing solidarity with the Druze community in Sweida.
Israeli airstrikes compound crisis
Against this backdrop, Israel, 'pledging to protect' the Druze community launched 'escalatory' strikes on Syrian territory, Mr. Khiari said.
Between 12 and 16 July, air raids targeted Damascus authorities' forces and official buildings, military installations and the vicinity of the Presidential Palace.
' In addition to violating Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Israel's actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and the region, and further destabilise Syria at a sensitive time,' Mr. Khiari said.
He urged both Israel and Syria to uphold the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and 'refrain from any action that would further undermine it and the stability on the Golan.'
Humanitarian fallout
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) there are severe disruption to supply routes, with insecurity and road closures blocking aid deliveries. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) dispatched trauma care supplies to Daraa, but Sweida remains inaccessible.
Mr. Khiari stressed the need for humanitarian access and called on Damascus to ensure any investigations into alleged abuses are 'transparent and in line with international standards.'
Call for genuine reconciliation
Reaffirming the Security Council's March call for an inclusive, Syrian-owned political process under resolution 2254, Mr. Khiari warned: ' Security and stability in Sweida, and indeed in post-Assad Syria can only be achieved through genuine reconciliation and with the participation of all components of Syria's diverse society. '
He urged all Syrian stakeholders to commit to dialogue and emphasised the UN's support for an inclusive and credible political transition that ensures accountability, fosters national healing and lays the foundation for Syria's long-term recovery and prosperity.
' Only then, can Syria truly emerge from the legacy of conflict and embrace a peaceful future,' he concluded.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
an hour ago
- Scoop
World Court Says Countries Are Legally Obligated To Curb Emissions, Protect Climate
The UN's principal judicial body ruled that States have an obligation to protect the environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and act with due diligence and cooperation to fulfill this obligation. This includes the obligation under the Paris Agreement on climate change to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The Court further ruled that if States breach these obligations, they incur legal responsibility and may be required to cease the wrongful conduct, offer guarantees of non-repetition and make full reparation depending on the circumstances. 'A victory for our planet' UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a video message welcoming the historic decision, which came a day after he delivered a special address to Member States on the unstoppable global shift to renewable energy. "This is a victory for our planet, for climate justice and for the power of young people to make a difference," he said. Reasoning of the Court The Court used Member States' commitments to both environmental and human rights treaties to justify this decision. Firstly, Member States are parties to a variety of environmental treaties, including ozone layer treaties, the Biodiversity Convention, the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement and many more, which oblige them to protect the environment for people worldwide and in future generations. But, also because 'a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a precondition for the enjoyment of many human rights,' since Member States are parties to numerous human rights treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they are required to guarantee the enjoyment of such rights by addressing climate change. Case background In September 2021, the Pacific Island State of Vanuatu announced that it would seek an advisory opinion from the Court on climate change. This initiative was inspired by the youth group Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change, which underscored the need to act to address climate change, particularly in small island States. After the country lobbied other UN Member States to support this initiative in the General Assembly, on 29 March 2023, it adopted a resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the ICJ on two questions: (1) What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the environment? and (2) What are the legal consequences for States under these obligations when they cause harm to the environment? The UN Charter allows the General Assembly or the Security Council to request the ICJ to provide an advisory opinion. Even though advisory opinions are not binding, they carry significant legal and moral authority and help clarify and develop international law by defining States' legal obligations. This is the largest case ever seen by the ICJ, evident by the number of written statements (91) and States that participated in oral proceedings (97). The 'World Court' The ICJ, informally known as the 'World Court', settles legal disputes between UN Member States and gives advisory opinions on legal questions that have been referred to it by UN organs and agencies. It is one of the six main organs of the UN alongside the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Trusteeship Council and the Secretariat and is the only one not based in New York.
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
On Why The Free Market Is A Scam, Plus The Epstein Saga
In the shadow of the Holocaust at the end of WWII, the world passed a raft of United Nations/Geneva conventions to ensure that states could 'never again' inflict such horrors on a racially defined population. Well, such horrors are happening again. Hundreds of thousands of innocent men, woman and children are being systematically butchered for the crime of being born Palestinian. Hunger has been weaponised, and mass starvation is being live-streamed into our homes. In the blackest of ironies, the perpetrator of these horrors is the state of Israel, the homeland of the people victimised by the Nazi regime. The world that rushed to give Israelis refugees a home – on someone else's land - 80 years ago seems barely able to summon a whimper of protest this time around. They're even bungling the whimper. Earlier this week, New Zealand signed up to a a joint letter – endorsed by 28 nations in all - calling on Israel to end its inhumane actions in Gaza, and to allow humanitarian aid to flow freely into the territory. Fine words, but without anything – eg the threat of economic sanctions if Israel fails to comply– to back them up. In a ham-fisted attempt at even-handedness, the letter also called on Hamas to 'immediately' and 'unconditionally' release the remaining hostages. By making that call, the signatories are ignoring the main reason why the ceasefire talks have bogged down. With reason, Hamas has held out for some commitment from Israel that if Hamas releases the remaining hostages Israel will not (a) immediately resume the genocide (b) build new Israeli settlements in Gaza that permanently displace Palestinians and finally, that Israel will (c) withdraw its troops to some agreed positions, to create a a breathing space in which a negotiated form of Palestinian self-governance in Gaza can take shape. Does New Zealand have any problem with any of those Hamas pre-conditions – and if so, why? By simply making a call for an 'immediate' and 'unconditional' release of the hostages, New Zealand is dodging all the key questions about Gaza's future. The only future prospect that we are mentioning is the 'two state solution' that ceased to be a feasible concept 25 years ago, and which the Israeli parliament explicitly rejected last year. In that sense, the Israelis are right. The letter that New Zealand signed is disconnected from reality. And the realities we are choosing to ignore concern the future governance of Gaza. Plainly, Israel cannot be trusted to decide that for itself. Free market follies At times, it is pretty hard to see what good the 'free' market is doing for most of us. The usual responses – we all benefit when global commodity prices are sky high and anyway, what can you do about it? – are inadequate. Wouldn't ordinary citizens be better off if local food distribution was severed from the dictates of global markets? Yes, it would involve some form of price control – either directly, or by breaking up the supermarket duopoly, in order to create genuine price competition at the retail level. Theoretically, it would require a brave government to demand that the local price of some food staples (eg butter, cheese) be set at roughly 80% of the overseas price, as discounted via a basket of cost estimates for overseas freight and distribution and all the other inputs that go into setting the current retail price of the same produce in say, London. No doubt, our lack of genuine competition at retail level is compounding this problem of 'global price capture.' Yet as things stand, we get screwed by the global commodity price, only to be screwed again at the supermarket checkout. The current situation seems to be neither free, nor fair. No doubt, any local price ratio would be imperfect, but so is the status quo. It costs as much here (or more) for stuff that's grown here, as it does after we have shipped the same produce across to the other side of the world. That's a sign of significant market failure. It calls for an intervention. Obviously, our farmers benefit from high global commodity prices. Good for them. But waiting for trickle down economics to dribble that good fortune on down (via farmers spending in the local economy) is wishful thinking. It takes a very long time, if ever, for spending in the retail economy by Canterbury farmers to arrive on the doorsteps of homes in south Auckland. People can die, waiting. In the meantime, the 'free' market is imposing these kind of cost increases on households: The price of a block of butter is now 120 percent higher than it was a decade ago, Stats NZ said. In the year to June it was up 46.5 percent to $8.60 for a 500g block. Despite the very high returns they are currently getting, our farmers do not seem to be spending up large in the wider retail economy. Instead, they're reportedly using their earnings to pay down debt, and to repair/replace/upscale their farm inputs. Forcing New Zealand consumers to pay as much, or more as people are paying in Britain for our produce is an outrage. By treating maximum gains from foreign markets as our top priority, we are putting essential food products beyond the reach of many New Zealand households. That makes no moral sense. Nor does the fact that the best of our produce is being sent overseas, while local consumers are being expected to pay steep prices for inferior, unripe examples of – for example – green kiwifruit, which used to be an affordable fruit staple. When politicians say that's just how the market works, they're speaking from a comfort zone that many of us can barely imagine. Footnote: Mainstream economic theory and practice takes for granted that consumers and workers should be treated as cannon fodder. Unemployment, reduced wages and reduced household spending are routinely touted as a good way of combating inflation. In reality, it creates stagflation, the malady that's keeping our economy stuck in recession, or perpetually on the brink of it. The policy focus is exclusively on the demand side of the economy. Unfortunately, both National and Labour seem averse to fighting inflation (and predatory pricing) by targeting the supply side of the economy. That would mean taking on the supermarkets and the banks. Fat chance. Those who profit from the status quo prefer to keep the 'free' market rigged in their favour. Epstein, Trump's BFF If you Google the words 'Trump, Epstein' and then hit ' Images' you will find any number of photographs of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein hanging out, chatting, yukking it up, attending weddings together and generally acting like the best of pals. Somehow though, the media is now being asked to prove that a relationship existed that is on the public record for all to see. The gang that regularly used to hang out with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and a very large number of very young women included Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew and several prominent boardroom CEOs. Yet apparently, the same MAGA crowd who think that the Democrats ran a massive paedophile ring out of a NYC pizza parlour are suffering from cognitive dissonance when being asked to connect the dots between Epstein and Trump. Now it may be that Clinton and Trump dutifully respected their marriage vows while in Epstein's company. Maybe any and all lapses were with young women legally of an age to consent. But regularly hanging out with a known sex trafficker – and Trump is on the record as noting Epstein's sexual preferences ran to very young women – hardly gives Trump the moral high ground. Especially when Trump put so much political significance on the alleged links between the Democrats, the deep state and Epstein. It isn't what Trump did that is his current problem. By now, even the MAGA crowd must know that Trump is a corrupt degenerate. It is the cover-up that seems to be hurting him. The faithful are beginning to realise that Trump was lying to them before, and is lying to them now, about his links to Epstein. Gracious. What other untruths might their hero be telling? Mysterious r&b The New York musician known as Dawuna – birth name Ian Mugerwa – has carved out an interesting niche. He makes low fi soulful r&b that feels timeless, understated and yet naggingly catchy. He's like Prince on serious downers. Here's the new single ' Love Jaunt.' Dawuna is best known for his Glass Lit Dream album released toward the end of 2020. At the time, his music had seemed like a soulful Jai Paul meets Burial hybrid - and while that mix is about as good as it gets, the album reached only a small, fervent audience. Here's the 'Ape Prince' track:
Scoop
4 hours ago
- Scoop
UN Official Reiterates Call For Gaza Ceasefire As ‘Nightmare Of Historic Proportions' Unfolds
23 July 2025 Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, told ministers and ambassadors that ongoing talks must lead to a permanent end to hostilities, the release of all hostages, unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and for recovery and reconstruction to begin. He painted a grim picture of conditions on the ground, citing expanded Israeli military operations, particularly in Deir Al-Balah, which have led to further mass displacement. UN premises were also struck, hampering humanitarian operations and exacerbating the already dire situation. ASG Khiari briefs the Security Council. Humanitarian toll deepens At least 1,891 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 30 June, according to figures from Gazan health authorities, including 294 people reportedly killed while attempting to collect aid near militarised distribution points. Evacuation orders continue to force repeated displacement while food insecurity and malnutrition are worsening despite a limited uptick in the entry of humanitarian supplies. On the Israeli side, 13 soldiers have been killed in the same period. Palestinian armed groups have continued sporadic rocket attacks into Israel. According to Israeli sources, 50 hostages, including 28 believed to be dead, are still being held by Hamas and other groups. ' The Secretary-General has repeatedly condemned the continued holding of hostages by Hamas and other armed groups,' Mr. Khiari stressed. ' Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. ' Places of worship struck The briefing also highlighted growing concerns about civilian casualties and attacks on protected sites. Mr. Khiari condemned a 17 July strike on the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City, which killed three and injured several others. The strike forced the evacuation of roughly 600 Palestinians, including children and persons with special needs, who had been sheltering there. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office expressed regret, describing the strike as the result of 'stray ammunition' and said an investigation was underway, Mr. Khiari reported. Dire fuel shortages Since 9 July, Israel has allowed limited fuel deliveries through the Kerem Shalom/Karim Abu Salem crossing after 130 days of a full blockade. However, the amount is ' a fraction of what is required to run essential life-saving services in Gaza, where nearly every aspect of life depends on fuel ', Mr. Khiari warned. Occupied West Bank Turning to the occupied West Bank, Mr. Khiari reported high levels of violence, including deadly Israeli military operations, attacks by settlers on Palestinians and retaliatory attacks by Palestinians against Israelis. He noted that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is facing a severe fiscal crisis, with $2.7 billion in withheld clearance revenues, crippling its ability to pay salaries and provide basic services. ' Unless urgently addressed, the deterioration of the PA's fiscal and institutional situation could have catastrophic consequences, undermining the significant progress made over many years to build up Palestinian institutions,' he warned, urging immediate international support. Tensions in the wider region Mr. Khiari also highlighted continued tensions along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel as well as renewed violence in Syria's Sweida region and Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory. He urged both Israel and Syria to adhere to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and to avoid any actions that risk escalating the conflict. Call for a political horizon Mr. Khiari concluded by reiterating that only a revived political process towards the two-State solution can deliver a sustainable solution. ' Our goal is clear: realising the vision of two States – Israel and a viable and sovereign Palestinian State of which Gaza is an integral part – living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognised borders on the basis of the pre-1967 lines with Jerusalem as the capital of both States,' he said.
