Statement by H.E. Ambassador MIKANAGI Tomohiro, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on Syria’s Political & Humanitarian Situation

Thank you, Mr. President.
 
I thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Mr. Raed Al Saleh for their briefings. The situation is extremely fluid, but I would like to say a few words.
 
According to the media reports, rebel armed groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have advanced to large parts of Aleppo. Additionally, we understand that there is information that HTS has taken control of some villages in central Syria. It has been reported that the Assad regime is intensifying its airstrikes against the rebels. The increase of hostilities has already resulted in the loss of innocent civilian lives, including women and children.
 
The escalation of the conflict must be avoided, as it would further destroy the country, which has already been devastated by nearly 14 years of conflict. We are closely monitoring the situation, and urge all parties concerned to deescalate and protect the civilian population as well as civilian infrastructure in order to avoid further deterioration of the humanitarian situation respecting International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.
 
Mr. President,
 
Japan reiterates its position that the only solution to the political stalemate in Syria is to advance the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process consistent with Security Council resolution 2254. In this regard, we echo the Special Envoy’s call for urgent and serious political engagement to spare further bloodshed and focus on a political solution.
 
Despite these challenging circumstances, we must not give up promoting the political process. Japan calls on all stakeholders to commit to engaging in dialogue to bring one of the worst humanitarian crises of the century to an end.
 
Mr. President,
 
It is our sincere hope that the current developments will not lead to another phase of confrontation and tragedy. Japan will continue to make diplomatic efforts in close coordination with the international community, and persistently call on all parties to take constructive steps toward advancing the process toward a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
 
I thank you, Mr. President.