UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting on Syria
The UN Security Council will convene an emergency meeting at Syria's request due to a surprise attack by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in northern Syria. African nations initiated this meeting, reflecting concerns over escalating violence affecting Aleppo and Idlib. Russian and Iranian leaders reaffirmed support for Syria's sovereignty amid ongoing Astana discussions.
HASSAN BENYOUB 
The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday, at the request of the Syrian government, following a surprise attack by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other armed groups in northern Syria.
A Request from African Countries
According to diplomatic sources, the request for the meeting was submitted by the African countries on the Security Council, including Algeria, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and Guyana, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
A Sensitive Time
This meeting comes at a critical moment, following the recent escalation in northern Syria, where armed groups launched a surprise attack on Wednesday, allowing them to take control of neighborhoods in Aleppo and several villages in the Idlib countryside.
Russian-Iranian Talks
During a phone call on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, discussed the situation in Syria and the importance of coordinating efforts within the Astana process.
According to the Kremlin, the two leaders "focused primarily on the deteriorating situation in Syria" and "evaluated the large-scale aggression by terrorist groups as an attempt to undermine Syria's sovereignty and stability."
Support for the Syrian Government
During the call, Putin and Raisi expressed "unconditional support for the measures taken by the legitimate authorities in Syria to restore constitutional order and territorial integrity" and emphasized the importance of coordinating efforts within the Astana process, with Turkey's participation.
The Astana Process
In January 2017, the Astana process was launched as part of talks following the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the opposition in Ankara, Turkey, in December 2016, with the aim of finding a solution to the Syrian crisis, which has been ongoing since 2011.
Table: Key Players Involved
Country
Leader
Russia
Vladimir Putin
Iran
Ebrahim Raisi
Turkey
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Syria
Bashar al-Assad
United Nations
Antonio Guterres
List: Key Events
- December 2016: Ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the opposition in Ankara, Turkey
- January 2017: Launch of the Astana process
- Wednesday: Surprise attack by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other armed groups in northern Syria
- Monday: Phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to discuss the situation in Syria
- Tuesday: UN Security Council emergency meeting on Syria
The situation in northern Syria remains complex and sensitive, with multiple parties involved and competing interests at play. The emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is expected to address the recent escalation and its implications for the region.
