Tue Dec 17 19:19:17 UTC 2024: ## Syria Ceasefire Extended, but Tensions Remain High Amidst Israeli Strikes and UN Concerns

**New York/Damascus** – A US-brokered ceasefire between Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) fighters and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria has been extended until the end of the week, a State Department spokesperson announced Tuesday. This follows two weeks of intense fighting following the removal of President Bashar al-Assad, which UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen described as “significant hostilities.”

The ceasefire, initially implemented after the SNA seized the city of Manbij from the SDF, has seen the Kurdish-led SDF retreat east of the Euphrates River. However, Pedersen warned the UN Security Council that the situation remains precarious, with the potential for further military escalation posing a “catastrophic” risk. He urged all parties to de-escalate and pursue a peaceful resolution.

SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi proposed a demilitarized zone in Kobane, under US supervision, to address Turkey’s security concerns. There has been no immediate response from Turkey, the SNA, or the US to this proposal.

The ongoing instability in Syria is further complicated by Israel’s continued military actions. Pedersen strongly condemned Israel’s more than 350 strikes on Syria since the Assad regime’s weakening, including a major attack on Tartous, and its plans to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights. He called for an end to these actions, stating they are illegal and exacerbate the suffering of Syrian civilians. Experts like Durham University’s Rob Geist Pinfold suggest Israel’s actions stem from fears of power vacuums near its borders and a perceived lack of international response.

Pedersen also urged the international community to ease Western-imposed sanctions on Syria to facilitate reconstruction in the war-torn country, highlighting the immense humanitarian needs. This request comes amidst ongoing challenges in dealing with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, a former al-Qaeda affiliate that now controls Damascus. The West is grappling with how to approach HTS, which despite moderating its rhetoric, remains designated a terrorist organization by many Western governments. The complex interplay of these various actors and their competing interests continues to fuel instability in Syria.

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