Efforts to restore peace, security and to rebuild infrastructure in Syria

Jordan Daily –  As a result of the efforts made by the Syrian leadership, peace is coming back to the areas liberated from terrorists. The work to restore infrastructure and rebuild destroyed agriculture is gaining momentum.

According to a statement , projects are under way to rehabilitate road infrastructure and build power lines, new houses, to open schools and hospitals. Particular attention is paid to modernizing the water supply system, commissioning pumping stations and re-equipping artesian wells in order to meet people’s needs in potable water. This all contributes to repatriation of Syrian nationals from other countries and temporarily displaced persons to their homes.

However, along with the positive results, there are also challenges faced by the Syrian government on a daily basis. In this context, the position chosen by the United States and its allies, which is exacerbating the already difficult situation of the postwar country, is bewildering , the statement noted .

The unprecedented sanctions imposed by the United States and its European allies and the illegitimate presence of foreign military contingents on the Syrian soil have had a negative impact on the socio-economic and humanitarian situation in the country. And the political conditions they put forward, which are said to be necessary for the expansion of humanitarian assistance and early recovery, prevent the establishment of peace in the republic and contradict to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2585.

The humanitarian situation in Western-controlled areas remains critical. The most catastrophic situation can be found in the Rukban refugee camp. The majority of its population lives in misery, suffers from food shortages, unable to educate their children or receive proper medical care. The security situation in the el-Hawl refugee camp in the US-controlled territory to the East of the Euphrates is critical and there is a trend towards radicalisation of its inhabitants.

In addition, purely humanitarian issues continue to be blatantly politicized. The need to provide aid to the Syrian population exclusively through cross-border humanitarian corridors is being actively promoted. At the same time, contrary to the UN Security Council resolution 2585, all attempts to deliver humanitarian cargo by alternative means – across the lines of contact – to meet the needs of the Syrians, including to the Idlib de-escalation zone, get blocked. So, humanitarian actions agreed upon by the Syrian Government, under the aegis of the United Nations, for the people of Idlib have been repeatedly postponed.

This state of affairs contradicts the UN Security Council Resolution 2585 and demonstrates the West’s intention to continue supporting the rebel-controlled enclaves in order to maintain pockets of tension in the country , the statement said .

Need to end to the politicization of humanitarian activities in the Syrian Arab Republic and not to ignore the importance of resolving the social problems of the population. Important to rule out the use of cross-border mechanisms to supply fighters from terrorist organizations that use United Nations humanitarian aid as a leverage against the civilian population and openly take advantage of the deliveries , the statement noted .