People celebrate as Syrian government forces enter the town of Maskana, following the withdrawal of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. AP
In a press statement issued late on Thursday, council members praised the start of the agreement’s implementation and reaffirmed their strong commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.
The council underscored the need for full compliance with the agreement to ensure the protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian access, and support for Syria’s recovery.
Members also welcomed the issuance of Decree No. 13 by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, aimed at guaranteeing the rights of Syrian Kurds, and stressed the importance of further progress in integrating Kurdish representatives into Syria’s government and facilitating the return of displaced Kurds to their areas of origin.
The ceasefire deal, announced by Damascus and the SDF as part of a broader agreement that envisions a phased merger of military and administrative structures, has drawn broad regional and international support, with governments emphasizing the need to preserve Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and stability.
Council members commended the Syrian government’s recent commitments and measures to combatthe Islamic State group and reiterated Syria’s obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions to counter terrorism.
They called for preventing any security vacuum in and around detention facilities in northeast Syria holding Islamic State fighters and expressed concern over reports of militant escapes. The council welcomed what it described as the Syrian government’s swift action to restore order, recapture detainees, and assume responsibility for the facilities.
Members also praised UN efforts to access displacement camps in the region, resume humanitarian assistance, and facilitate aid delivery with the cooperation of the Syrian authorities.
The council urged the development of safe transition plans for the management of detention centers and displacement camps housing Islamic State affiliates, alongside close international coordination to mitigate terrorism risks.
Reaffirming its commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, the Security Council called on all states to respect those principles and refrain from actions or interference that could destabilize the country.
The council stressed the importance of international support for the Syrian government, including in counterterrorism efforts, and urged member states to enhance coordination with Damascus.
Syria this week took part for the first time in a meeting of political directors of the Global Coalition to Defeat Islamic State, held in Riyadh on Monday, marking what officials described as a new phase in its counterterrorism engagement.
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