Ambassador Ala: Foreign-Backed Terrorist War Led to Humanitarian Crisis in Syria

GENEVA – Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Hussam Eddin Ala stressed that the Syrian government has showed seriousness and commitment to Geneva and Astana process and  did what is required to provide appropriate conditions in order to make them a success.

Ala was speaking during the 68th session of the Executive Committee of the Program of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees held on Wednesday, according to SANA.

 He noted that the success of political track and improvement of humanitarian situation will be dependent on providing appropriate atmosphere, the extent of regional and international commitment to fight terrorism in Syria  and lifting the unilateral coercive measures imposed on the Syrian people.

The Syrian diplomat noted that the Israeli occupation of Palestine, the Syrian Golan and other Arab territories remains the main factor in the forced displacement of more than half a million Palestinian

refugees who have been living on the Syrian territory for 70 years, not to mention the displacement of nearly half a million people from the occupied Syrian Golan since 1967.

He added that the foreign interventions in other states’ internal affairs, targeting political regimes, supporting terrorism and forming illegitimate military coalitions over the past few years have

contributed to the destabilization of several states in the region and forced people to leave their countries.

Ambassador Ala stated that the foreign-backed terrorist war which targeted civilians, service facilities and infrastructure in Syria, accompanied by imposing unilateral unjust measures which negatively

affected vital sectors in the country, especially health sector, led to humanitarian crises forcing large numbers of Syrians to leave and seek more stable areas under the protection of Syrian state or travel abroad.

He pointed out that the Syrian government has shouldered the largest burden of providing citizens’ basic needs and facilitating the work of international organizations throughout the country, highlighting the key role of achieved national reconciliations, the army’s victories in breaking the ISIS siege of Deir Ezzor recently and restoring security and stability to several areas helped enhance opportunities of

humanitarian aid delivery, the return of tens of thousands of displaced people and improving the living conditions of large number of Syrian people who suffered from terrorism.

Ala reiterated Syria’s determination to go ahead with national reconciliations and maintain positive attitude towards Astana talks and their results which led to the establishment of de-escalation zones and revived hopes to reaching a complete cessation of hostilities , adding that this will support the Syrian state’s strategy in isolating terrorism and eradicating it.

The ambassador also underlined the important efforts exerted by the Office of the UN Higher Commissioner for Refugees in Syria and its projects and programs to help the displaced Syrian people which contributed to further enhance the government endeavors over the years of the crisis.