{"id":1331,"date":"2026-02-13T11:19:57","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T11:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brhrd.be\/?p=1331"},"modified":"2026-02-25T11:26:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:26:58","slug":"syria-transition-gains-ground-with-kurdish-deal-but-violence-and-humanitarian-strain-persist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brhrd.be\/?p=1331","title":{"rendered":"Syria Transition Gains Ground with Kurdish Deal, but Violence and Humanitarian Strain Persist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>13 February 2026 | Peace and Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Syria\u2019s fragile political transition has taken an important step forward following a landmark agreement between Damascus and Kurdish authorities in the northeast. However, renewed violence in other regions, Israeli military activity, and deep humanitarian needs continue to threaten stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Breakthrough in the Northeast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Briefing the Security Council, Deputy Special Envoy <strong>Claudio Cordone<\/strong> described the 30 January ceasefire and integration agreement between the Syrian Government and the <strong>Syrian Democratic Forces<\/strong> (SDF) as potentially transformative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The agreement includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Phased military and administrative integration of northeast Syria<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provisions for the return of displaced persons<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protection of Kurdish civil and educational rights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implementation measures linked to Presidential Decree 13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Cordone reported that hostilities have ceased in the northeast and implementation planning is progressing, including deployments of Ministry of Interior forces in Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>United Nations Security Council<\/strong> welcomed the deal in a presidential statement, urging adherence to prevent civilian suffering and avoid security gaps around ISIL (Da\u2019esh) detention facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sensitive ISIL detention issue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The UN continues monitoring transfers of Syrian and foreign ISIL suspects to Iraq. Cordone stressed that judicial proceedings must meet fair trial standards and called on Member States to repatriate their nationals swiftly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The management of detention facilities remains a key security concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ongoing tensions elsewhere<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite relative calm in the northeast, instability persists:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd39 Sweida (South)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Renewed clashes between Government forces and local armed groups<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Damage to infrastructure and electricity outages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protests calling for self-determination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd39 Southern Syria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The UN envoy raised concern over Israeli incursions and operations in southern Syria, urging:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Respect for international law<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compliance with the <strong>1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Withdrawal from occupied areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pursuit of mutually acceptable security arrangements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Humanitarian situation remains severe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the <strong>United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs<\/strong> (OCHA):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Around 130,000 people remain displaced across Al-Hasakeh, Ar-Raqqa, and Aleppo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Over 90% of the displaced are women and girls<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flooding in Idleb and northern Latakia recently killed two children and damaged around 2,000 tents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, modest improvements are reported:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>200,000 people reached with assistance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>170 humanitarian truck movements organized<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electricity restored in Ain al-Arab (Kobane)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Political transition milestones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The next key development is the formation of Syria\u2019s new People\u2019s Assembly. Most elected seats were voted in October 2025, with further appointments pending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cordone emphasized that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All regions and communities must be meaningfully represented<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Human rights protections are essential<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transitional justice and accountability for missing persons are critical<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Role of Syrian women<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Deputy Envoy highlighted the \u201cextraordinary role\u201d of Syrian women and civil society throughout the conflict, stressing that women\u2019s participation is essential for inclusive governance and sustainable peace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>13 February 2026 | Peace and Security Syria\u2019s fragile political transition has taken an important step forward following a landmark agreement between Damascus and Kurdish authorities in the northeast. However, renewed violence in other regions, Israeli military activity, and deep humanitarian needs continue to threaten stability. Breakthrough in the Northeast Briefing the Security Council, Deputy [&hellip;]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1332,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-topics"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Syria Transition Gains Ground with Kurdish Deal, but Violence and Humanitarian Strain Persist - Brussels for Human Rights and development<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brhrd.be\/?p=1331\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Syria Transition Gains Ground with Kurdish Deal, but Violence and Humanitarian Strain Persist - Brussels for Human Rights and development\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"13 February 2026 | Peace and Security Syria\u2019s fragile political transition has taken an important step forward following a landmark agreement between Damascus and Kurdish authorities in the northeast. 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