UN Security Council to debate Syrian conflict as regional tensions simmer

Following a call by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for de-escalation of the conflict in Syria, the UN Security Council is today expected to discuss the seven-year war.

The Council is expected to consider a resolution proposed by Sweden and Kuwait that, if approved, will demand a 30-day ceasefire be instituted to allow for the delivery of aid and evacuation of the wounded. Any resolution is expected to be vetoed by Russia—which has rejected 11 proposals on Syria since 2011—claiming a ceasefire would be ignored by rebels and terrorist groups.

After Islamic State controlled more than half of Syrian territory in 2015, Bashar al-Assad’s Russian-backed forces have fought back in the past year; approximately 60% of country’s landmass and 85% of the population are now under government control.

However, with Israel intensifying its attacks on Iranian-backed forces and Turkey’s offensive against Syrian Kurds continuing unabated, the potential for a spill over into new conflicts has never been higher.