UNITED NATIONS, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 28th Aug, 2026) Pakistan told the UN Security Council Friday that the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led military alliance, into Syria’s state structures was a critical step toward peace and stability in the country.
“After years of conflict, fragmentation and humanitarian emergency in the country, there is now a genuine opportunity to focus on stabilization, recovery and return to normalcy,” Ambassador Usman Jadoon, deputy permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, said at a briefing on political and humanitarian developments in Syria.
He said that SDF’s move represented continued consolidation of the Syrian State and its institutions.
Syria emerged from a 14-year civil war that ended the al Assad regime’s half-century reign in December 2024.
“We are heartened to witness the significant political transition continuing to broadening participation, strengthening national cohesion and responding to the aspirations of the Syrian people,” the Pakistani envoy noted, saying that continued consolidation of the Syrian State and its institutions.
“Ultimately, sustainable stability can only emerge from a peaceful, inclusive, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political process.”
The easing of economic restrictions on Syria, he said, has created greater space for economic recovery and international reintegration, with increasing cooperation and investment providing further reason for optimism.
“The measure of success, however, will be whether these developments translate into economic activity, accelerate reconstruction and bring tangible improvements to the lives of people – all of which is on a positive trajectory.
At the same time, Ambassador Jadoon said Da’esh and Foreign Terrorist Fighters continue to pose a serious threat to Syria.
“Coordinated counter-terrorism efforts remain essential to prevent its resurgence and preserve Syria’s hard-won stability,” he said, stressing that the difficult legacy of the Syrian civil war be addressed through transitional justice pursued fairly, impartially.
The Pakistani envoy commended Syria’s leadership for their wisdom in keep the country out of a wider regional conflict.
In this regard, Ambassador Jadoon strongly condemned Israeli attack on Abu al-Duhur Airbase in violation of international law, saying respect for the 1974 Disengagement Agreement must be ensured, alongside the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all occupied areas.
“These are essential steps to prevent further escalation and safeguard regional peace and stability,” he said, adding, “We also reiterate that the Syrian Golan is an occupied Syrian territory, as affirmed by Security Council Resolutions 338 and 497.”
Opening the debate, UN Special Envoy Claudio Cardone said, “The success of the political transition will ultimately be measured by whether all Syrians feel represented in State institutions and able to participate meaningfully in shaping their country’s future.” That, he said, was a key message from the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ visit with President Ahmed al-Sharaa last month.
“Greater international support is essential to meet urgent humanitarian, recovery and development needs and create conditions for safe, dignified and voluntary returns,” he stressed.
In this context, Cardone welcomed that the United States rescinded Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, noting that while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently projected double-digit growth in 2026, widespread poverty and renewed inflation persist.
APP/ift
