Switzerland urges talks as violence rises in Syria’s Idlib
Switzerland’s foreign affairs ministry is “deeply concerned” by the escalation of violence in northwest Syria and urges the warring parties to return to the negotiating table.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ds
العربية
ar
سويسرا تدعو إلى محادثات عاجلة بعد تصاعد العنف في إدلب
Russia-backed Syrian government forces have recently intensified their bombardment of rebel-held territory in Idlib, a Syrian province bordering Turkey.
As the Syrian government regained territory held by the armed opposition over the past couple of years, Idlib saw its pre-war population of 1.5 million double in size. Civilians and insurgents defeated elsewhere in the country have settled in Idlib, a jihadist hub and the final pocket beyond the control of the Damascus regime.
The Swiss foreign ministry urged the guarantors of Idlib’s so-called “de-escalation zone” to do “their utmost to respect international law, in particular international humanitarian law, and to work to end the fighting.”
At the Russian resort town of Sochi in September 2018, Ankara and Moscow agreed to be guarantors of a buffer zone separating the Syrian army from rebels at frontlines in and around Idlib.
According to the United Nations, hundreds of civilians have already been killed by air raids and more than 150,000 people have been forced to flee.
In addition, many civilians are encircled and cannot reach safety due to the fighting. Several hospitals and schools have been hit and destroyed in aerial attacks.
“A resumption of the United Nations peace process in Geneva is essential to put an end to the suffering of the Syrian people,” the ministry statement concluded. “Only in this way can a lasting, broad-based peace be achieved for Syria, which guarantees the rights of all Syrians.”
The UN-sponsored effort to end the war in Syria has been overtaken by the Russian-led Astana process over the past 18 months. Peace has proved elusive despite the multiple rounds of talks held in Geneva and the Kazakh capital.
More
More
Syrian civil society meets in Geneva to discuss peace
This content was published on
With war still raging in Syria and official peace talks on hold, a quiet peace initiative is continuing behind the scenes in Geneva.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland pursues dozens of cases against jihadi suspects
This content was published on
Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is currently pursuing criminal proceedings in some 70 cases linked to jihadi terrorism.
This content was published on
A court in Switzerland has handed down suspended jail sentences for two teenagers who joined an Islamic militant group in Syria.
Why Switzerland’s war crimes office is dragging its feet
This content was published on
After seven years, Switzerland’s war crimes office still has not completed any cases, while two people wait in detention. What’s behind the inaction?
Swiss anti-Islamic State fighter faces trial in Switzerland
This content was published on
A former Swiss army officer who fought in a Christian militia against the Islamic State in Syria appears in a military court in Bellinzona today.
This content was published on
Switzerland has thanked Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy to Syria who announced on Wednesday that he is stepping down.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.