The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is deeply concerned by the recent escalation of fighting in Damascus, Hama and elsewhere in Syria.  

He notes that the growing violations in recent days are undermining the ceasefire regime addressed through the Astana meetings, with significant negative consequences for the safety of Syrian civilians, humanitarian access and the momentum of the political process.

In this context, he has addressed letters to the Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey, as the three guarantor-States of the ceasefire in Syria that came into effect on 30 December 2016.  He appealed to them to undertake urgent efforts to uphold the ceasefire regime.  He has also brought these appeals to the attention of the Russian Federation and the United States as the Co-Chairs of the International Syria Support Group.

The Special Envoy recalls that the joint efforts of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey to guarantee the ceasefire are indispensable for improving the conditions on the ground and contributing to an environment conducive for a productive political progress.  ​

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