Guterres: SDF Integration Strengthens Syria's Unity

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) decision to dissolve and merge with the Syrian government as "a very positive development" for the country's stability, unity, and sovereignty, as senior UN officials briefed the Security Council on accelerating recovery efforts across Syria.

Speaking at a press conference, Guterres was asked how he viewed the SDF's announcement that it was dissolving itself to integrate with the Syrian government.

"I do believe that it is extremely important in a country that has a diversity that is a richness, that... that diversity is recognized, but at the same time, that the country becomes united," Guterres said. "And so we see this development as a very positive development to progressively consolidate the stability, the unity, and the sovereignty of Syria."

During a Security Council session on the situation in Syria, Deputy Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria Claudio Cordone said the pace of recovery inside the country was accelerating, adding that the Syrian government was taking "good steps" toward strengthening stability and development.

Cordone welcomed the United States' decision to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, saying the move would help create the conditions needed for economic and investment recovery.

He also said Israeli incursions into Syria and the continued detention of Syrian citizens amounted to a violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.

On transitional justice, Cordone said the UN supports Syria's efforts in this area, noting that the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus issued convictions and death sentences this month against a number of former officials.

He added that Syria cannot confront its challenges alone and requires substantial international support to meet humanitarian, development, and urgent recovery needs.

Acting Assistant Secretary-General for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Indrika Ratwatte told the Council there were encouraging signs in Syria, including the return of Syrians to their homes and improvements in agricultural production, energy, and transport sectors.

Ratwatte said the Syrian government was working to consolidate stability and called on the international community to support the aspirations of the Syrian people. He added that Syria needs investment to realize its vision of shifting from dependence on humanitarian aid toward reconstruction and development.

The US representative to the UN told the Council that Washington no longer classifies Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, calling it a historic step that recognizes the progress Syria has made, and continues to make, on political, security, and humanitarian priorities.

She said lifting restrictions on Syria would unlock trade and investment opportunities that could contribute to a stable, unified Syria at peace both internally and with its neighbors, and renewed Washington's call for UN institutions and member states to support the Syrian government's efforts to achieve its goals.

With the SDF's integration now underway and international restrictions easing, UN officials signaled that Syria's path toward reconstruction depends on sustained global support alongside the country's own efforts to consolidate unity and stability.