In a report presented to the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) on the work of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon acknowledged that the mission can continue to play a 'valuable role" in resolving the ongoing crisis in the unrest-hit Middle East nation.
Earlier this year, the UNSC authorized deployment of UNSMIS in Syria for a period of 90 days to monitor a previously agreed cease-fire as well as the implementation of a six-point peace plan poposed by U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan for ending violence in the country.
Annan's plan calls for an end to violence, access for humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those in need, release of detainees, start of inclusive political dialogue, and unrestricted access to the country for the international media.
Most of the Syrian rebel groups have backed out of the earlier agreed plan citing continued killings of civilians by Syrian security forces. Further, the UNSMIS suspended its monitoring activities in mid-June due to an escalation of violence.
In his report to the UNSC on the implementation of Resolution 2043 that established the UNSMIS in April, Ban has outlined options for the future orientation of the mission after its current 90-day mandate expires on July 13. The UNSC now has to adopt a resolution extending the mission's mandate before July 20 for ensuring its continued presence in Syria.
"UNSMIS can play a valuable role in supporting political dialogue and local confidence-building, establishing facts on the ground and reporting clearly and objectively to the international community. Should the violence persist or openings for internal political dialogue develop, I have put forward options for the reorientation of UNSMIS in that context," Ban said in his report.
He also noted that the Mission's withdrawal may be considered if political and security conditions disrupt its mandated tasks. Acknowledging that such a move would eliminate risks to U.N. staff, Ban also highlighted the potential negative effects of the mission's withdrawal.
He said such a decision could undermine an early return to a sustainable cessation of violence and remove the sole source of independent monitoring of the implantation of the six-point plan on the ground. He added that it also would affect the prospect of a negotiated Syrian-led transition outlined by the Action Group on Syria last week.
At a meeting in Geneva last week, the U.N.-backed Action Group on Syria had forged an agreement outlining the steps for a peaceful transition in Syria. It called for all parties to immediately re-commit to a sustained cessation of armed violence, to fully cooperate with UNSMIS observers, and to implement Annan's six-point peace plan.
In his report, Ban outlined three possible options for the continued deployment of the observer mission, including the expansion of its current strength of about 300, deploying a "sizeable armed force-protection element" to provide security for its staff, and retaining its current strength.
"The individual merits of each of the proposals mentioned above appear to be outweighed by the potential negative implications and disincentives foreseen if armed confrontation continues at the current level. In this light, a shift in Mission structure and focus could be envisioned, Ban said.
The U.N. chief noted that a re-structured UNSMIS could focus on activities within its mandate that can be achieved under the current circumstances and that would build support Annan's efforts. He said such activities would include strengthening the capacities for "good offices" to foster dialogue, brokering local-level agreements to calm tensions, promoting ceasefires between the sides, and deepening engagement.
"A consolidated presence, reoriented to maximize the Mission's capacities to facilitate political dialogue and diminish exposure to mandate implementation impediments, appears to be preferable in the current conditions and reflects an equally responsive structural and operational flexibility as conditions change," he added.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Political News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.