Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Vanessa Frazier, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, advocated for the release of children held for their or their family members’ alleged association with Da’esh.

She said, “Many remain in detention across northeastern Syria. These children should be treated primarily as victims, released from detention and handed over to child protection actors for the purpose of family reunification and reintegration. I am extremely concerned that over 150 children as well as an undetermined number of children who have turned 18 while in detention, were transferred to Iraq from Syria among adult detainees between January and February 2026.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHMhRWiA8po

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Special Representative for Libya Hanna Serwaa Tetteh said Libya faces a “critical” political, economic, and security juncture, with divided State institutions and stalled elections. She reiterated the UNSMIL roadmap can lead to institutional reunification, restoring legitimacy through elections and preserving the country’s unity.

Briefing the Security Council on the situation in Libya via video link, Tetteh thanked the Council’s support of UNSMIL and the implementation of the roadmap, as reaffirmed in its 3 March Press Statement. However, she said that we are not where we would like to be in terms of progress on the roadmap.

She noted that some Libyan actors continue to disregard the expectations of the public regarding their participation in political processes, or towards exercising political leadership based on democratic legitimacy. Parallel structures have been established outside of the framework of existing agreements, which can limit the effectiveness of the UNSMIL process aimed at institutional reunification and establishing democratic legitimacy for political leadership.

The Special Representative also highlighted, “Libya’s national wealth is being absorbed into a distorted political economy that fuels unaccountable spending and weaponises oil revenues.”

She said, “this diversion of resources without a consensus on agreed national priorities weakens fiscal discipline and undermines the State’s ability to function as a steward for implementing projects, programs and initiatives that respond to critical public priorities and social spending commitments.”

Tetteh cautioned that the country is facing a “significant but potentially short-lived” oil revenue windfall. “This creates a narrow window of opportunity to reinforce macroeconomic stability and restore integrity in public finance,” she added.

In this context, the UNSMIL chief welcomed the signing on 11 April of Annex No. 1 to the Unified Development Program by members of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State under the auspices of the Central Bank and supported by the United States, “as an important step towards greater fiscal coherence.”

The Special Representative also stated that the Sudan Regional Response Plan, which covers Libya, is intended to support approximately 597,000 Sudanese refugees and host communities in health, protection, and food security, with an estimated financial requirement of $115.5 million for 2026.

She urged Member States to support this effort, adding that in parallel, “efforts continue to advance the return or reintegration of internally displaced populations, primarily those linked to conflict, as part of the broader durable solutions agenda”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pjH8JJGrm4

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone said, “March 2026 recorded the lowest levels of direct conflict-related violence in 15 years, although civilians continued to be killed by remnants of war.”

Addressing the Security Council today (22 Apr) Cordone said, “Israeli forces have continued to conduct incursions into Syrian territory almost daily.”

He added, “Today, dozens of Israelis crossed several hundred meters into the Area of Separation near the village of Hadar. Both the crossing and their behaviour was highly provocative. They were brought back by the IDF which condemned the incident. I reiterate our strong call on Israel to cease violations, respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adhere to the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and prevent incidents such as the one today. I urge Israel to return all Syrian detainees taken in violation of international law.”

He continued, “More broadly, I commend the Syrian Government for its efforts to shield Syria from the conflicts raging in the region, with Syrian security forces deployed defensively to control borders. As of 19 April, nearly 300,00 people fleeing the fighting in Lebanon had crossed into Syria, all but 51,000 Syrian nationals.”

He also said, “By contrast, there was no progress on advancing the elements of the Sweida roadmap. Protests continued, including demonstrations on 11 April calling for self-determination, improved living conditions, and the release of detainees. Deteriorating socio-economic conditions, alongside reported restrictions on freedom of expression inside Sweida, are creating further frictions.”

He said, “March 2026 recorded the lowest levels of direct conflict-related violence in 15 years, although civilians continued to be killed by remnants of war. The Government is prioritizing mine clearance and the removal of unexploded ordnance, and UNMAS is offering its support. Daesh/ISIL remains a concern, and I welcome the continued counter-terrorism efforts of the Syrian forces and the US-led Global Coalition.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV3JZuSp3cc

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Tom Fletcher, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, said, “I visited Syria again last month, with my UNDP colleague Alexander De Croo. We saw progress: millions of people are returning home. Markets growing. More lights coming back on. The Humanitarian Reset working.”

He added, “Conflict across the region in March put immense pressure on Syria. As of April 19th, nearly 300,000 people had crossed into Syria from Lebanon – overwhelmingly Syrian nationals – adding to the estimated 1.6 million Syrian refugees who have returned to Syria from across the region since the end of 2024. Returnees need food, shelter and other support. While the ceasefire between Iran and the United States and Israel holds, tensions in the region remain high. The risk of ongoing disruptions to critical supply routes persists, threatening to destabilize the fragile internal momentum and potentially setting back return and recovery efforts by years.”

He highlighted, “Needs are still high. Over 13 million in need of food. 12 million in need of clean water. Nearly 13 million in need of healthcare support. In the Northeast, 100,000 displaced across Al-Hasakah and Aleppo Governorates. Services are gradually stabilizing there as updated security arrangements are put in place, but gaps remain.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfEfzkqPxMM

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

– Middle East
– UN Interim Force in Lebanon
– Lebanon/Humanitarian
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Yemen
– Libya
– Sudan
– South Sudan
– Haiti
– Mine Action
– International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence
– International Mother Earth Day
– Extreme Heat ANd Agriculture

MIDDLE EAST

The Secretary-General welcomed the announcement by the United States to extend the ceasefire. This is an important step toward de-escalation and an important step toward creating critical space for diplomacy and confidence-building between Iran and the United States.

We encourage all parties to build on this momentum, refrain from actions that could undermine the cease-fire, and engage constructively in negotiations to reach a sustainable and lasting resolution.

The Secretary-General fully supports Pakistan’s efforts in facilitating further talks, and he hopes that these efforts will contribute to creating conditions conducive to a comprehensive and durable resolution to the conflict.

UN INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON

The UN is deeply saddened to report that one of the two French peacekeepers who have been severely injured in an incident in South Lebanon on 18 April passed away at a hospital in Paris earlier this morning. A specialist dog handler, Corporal Anicet Girardin was 31 years old. He was seriously wounded when his explosive ordnance disposal team, operating under UNIFIL’s French contingent, came under attack while clearing a road in Ghanduriyah in order to re‑establish access to isolated UNIFIL positions. He succumbed to his wounds days after the death of Staff Sergeant named Florian Montorio in the same incident.

And as you will recall, at the time, the UN initial assessment was that the peacekeepers came under fire from non-state armed groups, presumably, Hezbollah, during this incident.

The UN extends its most sincere condolences to his family, to his friends and colleagues, and to the people and Government of France. Corporal First Class Girardin was the fifth UNIFIL peacekeeper to lose his life due to the current hostilities while carrying out his duties and fulling a mandate given to them by the Security Council.

If you will recall, a third peacekeeper, who was also seriously injured during that incident, he was also repatriated to Paris yesterday and remains under medical care. A fourth peacekeeper, who sustained minor injuries, has now returned to his post with his unit in southern Lebanon.

Attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable and must be promptly investigated, so that those responsible can be effectively be prosecuted and held accountable. In this regard, the Secretary-General welcomes the stated commitment of the Lebanese authorities with respect to this incident.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-04-22

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DnNf0xd5Cc