The governorate of Druze-Majority Sweida, long relatively isolated from the anterior phases of the 14-year-old conflict in Syria, has become a flash point.

Brose an emergency meeting of the Security adviceKhiari, UN assistant secretary Khaled Khiari painted a dark image: hundreds of victims among soldiers and civilians-including women, children and the elderly-alongside mass movement reports, attacks against infrastructure, and “quasi-capacity” hospitals in the middle of power and water cuts.

“” There were other alarming relationships of civilians, religious personalities and prisoners subject to extrajudicial executions and humiliating and degrading treatment“He said.

Violent reprisals and looting have devastated communities, graphic images circulating largely on social media amplifying fear and anger.

He urged all parties to protect civilians and civil infrastructure.

Historology of climbing

July 12: Series of mutual abductions in Sweida are transformed into armed confrontations between the Bedouin tribes and the armed groups of Druze.

July 14: Syrian security forces are deployed to “stop clashes” and “restore order”. At least 10 people were said to have been killed by groups armed with Druze, others kidnapped. Reports the surface of the abuses against civilians while the forces enter Sweida.

The clashes are intensifying, killing hundreds of deaths or wounded among the security forces and the combatants of the Druze, victims also reported among civilians Druze and Bedouins, including women, children and the elderly. Sectal rhetoric increases on social networks.

July 15-16: Hundreds of occupied Syrian Golan Druze and Syria gather on both sides of the ceasefire line, in the presence of the Israeli defense forces (FDI), expressing solidarity with the Druze community in Sweida.

Crisis made up of Israeli air strikes

In this context, Israel, “committing to protect” the Druze community has launched “climbed” strikes on Syrian territory, said Khiari.

Between July 12 and 16, the air raids targeted the forces of the Damascus authorities and the official buildings, the military facilities and the surroundings of the presidential palace.

“” In addition to violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, Israel’s actions undermine the efforts to build a new Syria in peace with itself and the region, and further destabilize Syria at a sensitive moment“Said Mr. Khiari.

He urged Israel and Syria to maintain the 2017 forces disengagement agreement and to “refrain from any action that would mine more and the stability of the Golan”.

Humanitarian fallout

According to the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs Coordination (Ochha) There are serious disruptions to provide routes, with insecurity and road closures blocking help deliveries. The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) Trauma care files in Daraa, but Sweida remains inaccessible.

Khiari underlined the need for humanitarian access and called Damascus to ensure that any investigation into alleged abuse is “transparent and in accordance with international standards”.

Call for real reconciliation

Reaffirming the March Call for the Security Council for an inclusive political process belonging to Syrian under resolution 2254, Mr. Khiari warned: “Safety and stability in Sweida, and indeed, in Post-Assad Syria, can only be obtained by real reconciliation and with the participation of all the components of the Diversified Society of Syria.“”

He urged all the Syrian stakeholders to engage in dialogue and underlined the UN’s support for an inclusive and credible political transition which ensures responsibility, promotes national healing and lays the foundations for restoration and long -term prosperity of Syria.

“” It was not until that time, can Syria really get out of the inheritance of conflicts and embrace a peaceful future“, He concluded.

Mr. Guterres addressed journalists after welcoming the Cypriot chief Greek Nikos Christdoulides and the Turkish Cypriot chief at the United Nations in New York.

“” Today’s discussions were constructive. The two leaders examined the progress of the six initiatives they accepted in March to establish confidence ”, he said.

Of these six initiatives, four were carried out: the creation of a technical committee on young people, environmental initiatives and climate change, the restoration of cemeteries and an agreement on demining which will be closed once the final technical details.

“And the discussions will continue on the other two,” added the UN chief, referring to the opening of four crossing points on the divided island and solar energy in the buffer zone.

New initiatives

In addition, managers have reached a common understanding of new initiatives, including an advisory body for civil society engagement, the exchange of cultural artefacts, improving air quality monitoring and the fight against microplastic pollution.

“” It is essential to implement these initiatives – all – as soon as possible for the benefit of all Cypriots,“Said Mr. Guterres.

The secretary general also confirmed that he would meet the two leaders during the high -level week of the United Nations General Assembly in September. Another informal meeting in the same format is later scheduled for this year.

A long road to come

“” There is a long road to come. And it is important to think about what the future can mean – for all Cypriots“He said.

“” But these steps clearly demonstrate a commitment to pursue a dialogue on the path to follow and work on initiatives that benefit all Cypriots“, He added.

Support dialogue

The United Nations played a central role in efforts to a full and mutually acceptable regulation for the question of Cyprus, supporting the dialogue between the Cypriot Cypriot and Cypriot Cypriot chiefs.

Although it is not found that enough common ground allow the resumption of official negotiations, the commitment to this end continues – including the informal meetings summoned by the Secretary General and other senior officials of the UN.

Meanwhile, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unclog), deployed since 1964, remains on the ground, helping to maintain stability through the island.

Three people were killed and at least 10 other people were injured in the bombing of the Church of the Holy Family of Gaza City, according to the media.

Stephanie Tremblay, spokesperson for the secretary general, note that the church was both a place of worship and a sanctuary for civilians.

“The attacks on places of worship are unacceptable. People looking for a shelter must be respected and protected, not struck by strikes, “she said at the New York daily press conference.

“Too many lives have already been lost,” she added, before highlighting the urgent need for an immediate cease-fire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

Strikes continue in the middle of the generalized displacement

Meanwhile, the Israeli strikes in the last 24 hours have hit sites welcoming displaced Palestinians, some of which were injured and killed.

The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs Coordination (Ochha)) reported that more than 11,500 people in Gaza were newly moved from July 8 and 15.

Overall, more than 737,000 people have been uprooted since the last escalation of hostilities on March 18, or about 35% of the population

In addition, almost everyone in Gaza has been moved, in many cases to several cases, since the start of the war in October 2023.

Ms. Tremblay reminded journalists that most of the accommodation in Gaza are flattened or not abundant and that families remain in the open air because the UN has not been allowed to provide tents and other shelters since early March.

Mediterranean swimming ban

She also underlined a “worrying development” when humanitarian workers report that many displaced people are wary of swimming in the Mediterranean Sea after Israel has restored a prohibition prohibiting swimming and fishing.

“OCHA says that for many, the sea has been their only option to wash, because there is practically no water infrastructure that works and almost no fuel to pump water, a very necessary socket in hot weather in Gaza,” she explained.

More fuel required

Humanitarians also continue to point out that the amount of fuel that Israel authorizes Gaza is still zero enough for the vital services in operation and the closures are a real risk.

Ms. Tremblay mentioned “a small but important stage” which occurred on Thursday, because the UN was finally authorized to bring benzene – used to supply ambulances and other critical services – for the first time in more than 135 days.

“This is added to the limited quantities of diesel authorized during last week. But that’s not enough, “she said.

“We ask more fuel – benzene and diesel – to come regularly. And the ban on shelter equipment should be lifted immediately. Lives depend on both. ”

Accompanied by their parents and mentors of the Midwest state of Wisconsin, the group wore skirts and ribbon vests handmade with seven colorful bands, each symbolizing a sustainable development objective (SDG) of personal importance, such as good health and gender equality.

Brenda Reynolds, a social worker from Canada and a member of the First Nation of Lake Fishing, is also visiting the UN in New York, a social worker from Canada and a member of the first nation of Lake Fishing. She was joined by her husband, Robert Buckle, and her 12-year-old granddaughter Lillian, and wore one of her own ribbon skirts for the occasion.

Ms. Reynolds will receive 2025 United Nations Prize Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela July 18. The prize, presented every five years, recognizes two people whose work illustrates the service to humanity. Ms. Reynolds will receive the prize alongside Kennedy Odede, a social entrepreneur from Kenya.

Change agents

After a United Nations tour (unanimously appreciated) and a quick stop for lunch and the memories of the NO bookstore (where a torthi -frying hummingbird was exchanged for a green turtle called “Coral”), the group settled in an information room.

On stage, Ms. Reynolds was joined by Mirian Masaquiza Jerez, a Kichwa woman of Ecuador and Social Affairs Officer in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Undesa), easily recognized in the UN corridors to have always worn traditional insignia of her native community in Salasaka,

“Wherever you go into public spaces, wear that you are,” she said. “The UN is the place to raise your voice. Be free to be who you are. “

By encouraging to speak their languages and honor their cultures, Ms. Masaquiza urged young students to consider themselves agents of change.

“You have not come by invitation. You came because you belong, ”she said. “You are the future. You are the present. As autogotes, we have space. Use it. “

A painful past

Ms. Reynolds shared her personal history with the group, reflecting on her career as an advisor to the Indian residential school in Gordon in Saskatchewan, the last residential school funded by the federal government to close in Canada.

She described to see children as young as five separated from their family for a year at a time and issued shirts with figures instead of their names written inside: “The only time I saw people identified in this way, it was when the Jews had tattooed figures on them. »»

During her first year at Gordon in 1988, a young girl said that she had been mistreated. The next morning, 17 would appear, launching what would become the first case of abuse of the province’s residential schools.

Ms. Reynolds, then labeled a “troublemaker”, helped shape the Indian residential school settlement agreement and to advise the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. His work had an impact on hundreds of thousands of indigenous people across Canada.

The room resonated with laughter, knowing the heads and tears, and the phrases of Ojibwe and other languages represented by the indigenous peoples of the room, notably Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, Ojibwe, Menomonee, Oneida, Navajo, Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Afro-Indiges.

Make the loop

Youth came from the daughters of tradition and the sons of tradition, part of a long-standing healing initiative of the healing of the healing of Milwaukee, Institute of Intergenerational Well-Being (HIR), which supports Aboriginal communities with complete mental health care and complete mental services.

The founder, Lea S. Denny, wants young Aboriginal people to see themselves in positions of power. This particular group has been together for eight years, some heading towards the university in the fall.

A father, attended by his three daughters, thought about the education of young Aboriginal people in the digital age. “We want them to access the world there,” he said, “but also protects the inner world that we want to be dear.” He said he had also offered the advice that “if you don’t see yourself on the screen, you sometimes have to be the first.” »»

The day ended with hugs and the exchanges of Leis made by hand as a symbol of the lifestyle and sharing a good source of life.

They will meet on July 18 to see Ms. Reynolds accept the Mandela price in the room of the General Assembly.

Before that, a detour planned to visit Times Square.

Meanwhile, Ms. Reynolds and her family discussed their plans for a Broadway show. On leaving, she stopped to kiss a life-size bronze statue of Nelson Mandela, a gift from the South African government to the UN.

“I started my work with children,” she said. “And today I spoke to children. It makes me complete the loop. ”

Thursday, nearly 2,000 families were moved to the areas affected by violence in Sweida govern and currently refer to a dozen collective sites. Many are unable to go home due to damage, looting or destruction of their homes.

Sweida’s health systems and the neighboring governor of Dar’a remain under critical tension, operating without electricity and facing serious supply shortages. The reports also suggest that at least two doctors have been killed in recent clashes, and certain armed groups have occupied health establishments, endangering patients and staff.

Mobilization in the middle of the forced access

The UN and its partners mobilize humanitarian assistance because security allows and work with the authorities to facilitate access.

The World Health Organization (WHO) sent 35 trauma and emergency surgery kits for 1,750 interventions, but many remain not delivered due to forced access.

“We urge all parties to protect people taken in violence, in particular by allowing them to freely move to security and medical aid,” said secretary general Stephanie Treplay’s associate spokesperson Stephanie Treplay during the daily press point on Thursday in New York.

She also pointed out that security forces must comply with international law, applicable standards and standards throughout their operations.

Lebanon: UN peacekeepers observe unauthorized Israeli activities

Ms. Tremblay also pointed out that the soldiers of peace with the provisional force of the United Nations in Lebanon (Unifil) Continue to observe Israeli military activities in its field of operations.

On July 16, Israeli soldiers crossed north of the blue line to carry out military exercises.

Unifil Peacekeepers also heard several explosions, including one on July 17 near the mission headquarters in Naqoura.

The “peacekeepers” also discovered weapons and unauthorized ammunition caches on a site, rocket launchers, grenades powered by rockets, mortar rounds and ammunition.

Commitment to Lebanon

In response to recent observations, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and the Mission and Force Director of Unifil, General de Force, Diodato Abagnara, met the Tabet in the South-Lebanese Sector of the Lebanese Army.

“Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert and General Abagnara have underlined our commitment to support the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701Including the strengthening of state authority and the restoration of stability in southern Lebanon, “said Ms. Tremblay.

As part of the support of Unifil, the peacekeepers trained with the staff of the Lebanese armed forces to draw on July 16, strengthening the operational jurisdiction of Lebanese army staff.

Fire in the Iraqi shopping center

The United Nations expressed condolences to the families of the victims of a tragic fire in the city of Iraqi Kut on Wednesday.

According to reports, the fire torn the shopping center – which opened only a week ago – leaving at least 61 dead.

“We express our strong solidarity with the people of the ASIT governorate in this deep loss,” said Ms. Tremblay.

She also pointed out that the UN and its partners are ready to provide humanitarian assistance to help mitigate the impact of tragedy.