Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild

UN envoy warns Syria’s new authorities against retaliatory violence

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 Feb 2025 23:35
2 Min Read

Despite reassurances from Syria’s new leadership, members of the Alawite community fear targeted reprisals.

Listen
  • x
  • UN envoy warns Syria’s new authorities against retaliatory violence
    Geir Pedersen, the United Nations' special envoy to Syria, speaks to journalists in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, December 18, 2024. (AP)

The United Nations envoy for Syria on Wednesday urged the country's new leadership to prevent a cycle of revenge and retribution following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Addressing a UN Security Council meeting, Geir Pedersen expressed concern over reports of violence under Syria’s transitional authorities, citing accounts of "men killed in the exchange of fire" and "serious ill-treatment in detention." He also highlighted reports of "kidnappings, looting, expropriation of property, and forced evictions of families from public housing."

Al-Assad was deposed in December by factions led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, with its leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, now serving as Syria’s interim president.

Pedersen noted that authorities had assured him "there is no policy of revenge or retribution" and that hundreds of detainees had been released. However, he cautioned that there remains a "lack of clarity" regarding the due process for those still in detention.

Related News

2 killed, 11 injured in armed attack on passenger bus in Syria

Israeli forces raid Syrian military barracks in Quneitra: SOHR

The envoy emphasized that it was the "responsibility of the caretaker authorities" to put an end to rights violations and to establish "a comprehensive transitional justice framework."

Despite reassurances from Syria’s new leadership, members of al-Assad’s Alawite community fear targeted reprisals. Since al-Assad’s ouster, violence against Alawites has escalated, with a leading watchdog reporting over 160 killings.

Pedersen, who recently visited Syria, also noted growing concerns among residents about "discriminatory practices against women" and "increasing social pressure" to conform to certain norms.

The UN official welcomed "recent decisions and signals" from the United States and the European Union regarding the potential easing of sanctions on Syria. However, he stressed that "a credible transition will be essential to continuing and expanding positive and bold sanctions moves."

"Syria faces are myriad and immense, including an ongoing conflict, a fragmented security landscape, a battered economy, and a population emerging from fourteen years of war in a situation of great hope but also division too," Pedersen concluded.

Read more: Protests erupt in Syria to demand release of detained soldiers

  • Syria
  • United Nations
  • Geir Pedersen

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Egyptian workers search for the bodies of hostages in a tunnel discovered during searches in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' obstructing Gaza body recovery, creating false claims: Hamas

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam talks to US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2025 (NNA)
Politics

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

Writers boycott NYT, demand justice as Gaza media ban faces court
Politics

300+ writers boycott NYT Opinion, cite persistent anti-Palestine bias

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, Injure 3 Palestinians
Politics

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, injure 3 Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS