In a recent press conference, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate de-escalation in Syria, warning that tens of thousands of civilians are at risk in the country. The call comes as Syrian opposition forces have captured the strategic city of Homs in their latest advance against the Syrian government. Hezbollah’s secretary-general, Naim Qassem, has pledged the Lebanese group’s support for the Syrian government, accusing the United States and Israel of sponsoring the recent aggression.
The conflict in Syria has seen a resurgence in violence recently, with opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launching a new offensive from their strongholds in northwest Syria. More than 280,000 people have been displaced by the recent fighting, according to the United Nations World Food Programme. Guterres has appealed for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need and a return to a UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to find a political solution to the conflict. Turkey has become home to about three million Syrian refugees since the war began in 2011 and has been working to reduce tensions and protect civilians in Syria. Erdogan’s call for a political solution comes as the conflict in Syria enters a new stage, with concerns about further instability and civilian casualties.
The international community, including the UN and regional leaders like Erdogan, are calling for a swift end to the violence in Syria and a return to diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and protect the civilians caught in the crossfire.
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