Syria: UN special envoy continues consultations on ways to end an escalating conflict

The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, continues his talks with the parties to the conflict in this country within the framework of the Geneva consultations, having yesterday met with leaders of the Syrian tribes, according to a UN spokesperson.

“They briefed Mr. de Mistura on their assessments of the situation on the ground and concerns of their respective communities and discussed perspectives for a political solution to the Syrian conflict,” UN spokesperson Farhan Haq during the daily briefing at UN Headquarters.

Mr. de Mistura’s Deputy, Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy, also met today with Rajaa Altalli and Renas Sino, representatives of the Centre for Civil Society and Democracy in Syria. They briefed Mr. Ramzy on the escalating conflict, as well as on the work of the Centre, sharing their perspectives for a political solution and ways that civil society organizations could contribute to efforts in that regard.

According to local humanitarian partners, Da’esh [also known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)] advances yesterday inside the Syrian city Al-Hasakeh resulted in the displacement of an estimated 60,000 people, including 50,000 within the city and another 10,000 towards the locality of Amuda.

“There are concerns that others may try to flee the city to northern areas of the governorate. According to 2011 estimates, some 300,000 people live in the city and there are additional displaced people in the area. Al-Hasakeh has a mixed Arab, Kurdish and Christian population.

Fierce fighting and shelling from both parties is reportedly ongoing in the city, as well as aerial bombardments,” stated the UN spokesperson.

Humanitarian partners and UN agencies in Qamishli are preparing in case of the arrival of displaced people. The World Food Programme has 25,000 food parcels available, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 5.000 kits of household items, and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) 5,000 full hygiene kits, Mr. Haq pointed out.