A country still in suspense
One year after Syria’s post-Assad transition, Nearly three million refugees and internally displaced people have returned to their homes, a sign of cautious progress..
But UN officials warned that the country remains extremely fragile after more than a decade of war.
The terrorist group ISIL/Daesh continues to pose a persistent threat, Sectarian and ethnic tensions remain unresolved, and the presence of foreign fighters and unsecured detention centers raises serious security concerns.
At the same time, humanitarian needs remain grave, with only about a quarter of the funds needed for winter assistance were raisedleaving millions of people without adequate support in the middle of extreme cold.
Regional dynamics are adding more tension. UN officials have warned that Israel’s continued incursions into southern Syria undermine the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and risk further destabilizing an already volatile environment.
Against this fragile backdrop, the situation in northern and northeastern Syria has deteriorated markedly in recent weeks.
Talks stall and fighting resumes
Repeated attempts at dialogue and mediation between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have failed to prevent new violence, Khaled Khiari, UN undersecretary-general for political affairs, told ambassadors.
A new round of talks earlier this month made no progress in implementing a March 2025 agreement aimed at integrating the SDF into state institutions, U.N. officials said. Shortly afterward, clashes broke out in SDF-held neighborhoods of Aleppo, forcing tens of thousands of civilians to flee.
“After several days of intense fighting… tens of thousands fled, most of whom have begun to return, dozens were killed, hundreds were injured and people are still missing,” he said.
Although a ceasefire and “full integration agreement” was announced on January 18, mediated by the United States and other partners, its implementation quickly failed.
Fighting resumed after talks broke down the following day, with clashes still being reported in parts of Al-Hasakeh governorate and around Ayn al-Arab, also known as Kobane.
“We strongly call on both sides to immediately adhere to a ceasefire.…and commit to developing and implementing the details of this latest agreement quickly and in a spirit of compromise,” Khiari said, warning of an “alarming humanitarian and protection crisis” if the violence continues.
He said recent government decrees recognizing the linguistic, cultural and citizenship rights of Syrian Kurds were “encouraging initiatives,” but stressed that they must be followed by inclusive political processes to build trust and national cohesion.
Fragile gains, deep needs
Political tensions are developing in a context of immense humanitarian tension.
Edem Wosornu, Director of Crisis Response at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the recent fighting had exposed once again how vulnerable Syria remains after 14 years of war.
Clashes this month forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes in Aleppo and caused further displacement in the governorates of Ar-Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and Al-Hasakeh.
As of January 18, more than 13,000 people had fled Ar-Raqqa alone, many of them seeking refuge in overcrowded collective centers.
“The fighting has left people without access to clean water, some hospitals have been forced to close and many children are unable to attend school.” Ms. Wosornu said, adding that damaged roads, unexploded ordnance and winter storms were hampering aid deliveries.
Displaced families face “bitter winter conditions,” he said, with urgent needs for shelter, food and heating. Heavy snow and extreme cold have affected nearly 160,000 people living in camps, damaging shelters and contributing to the deaths of two babies.
Despite access challenges, United Nations agencies and partners continue to provide aid, including food, shelter, medical supplies and protective services. Emergency funds have been released to support displaced families and reception centers have been established in Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli.
“Syria can make more progress,”said Ms Wosornu, but this depends on sustained humanitarian funding, greater investment in recovery and development and active diplomacy to prevent further violence and protect civilians.
UN teams prevented from accessing Al Hol amid unrest
UN teams trying to assess conditions at the Al Hol camp in northeastern Syria were unable to enter the site this week following its takeover by Syrian authorities, amid reports of looting and fires that left the situation tense and volatile.
UNHCR and UNICEF staff arrived at the camp on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, but were denied access for security reasons. However, the teams held constructive discussions with Syrian government representatives on the ground.
Syrian authorities have indicated their willingness to provide security and other support to UNHCR and humanitarian partners to allow life-saving operations to continue.
The UN also highlighted the need for any transfer of detention centers housing suspected ISIL members from SDF control to the Syrian government to be carried out in an orderly manner and in accordance with international standards.
Al Hol camp, located in Hasakeh governorate, has for years housed tens of thousands of people, many of them women and children, including relatives of suspected ISIL fighters, and has long been plagued by insecurity, humanitarian needs and limited access for aid agencies.