Seeking a political solution in Syria

When all efforts failed to bring an end to the Syrian conflict, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is proposing yet another untried way to bring the antagonists to the negotiating table. 

In a speech to the UN Security Council a few days ago, he acknowledged that “sadly there is still no consensus on the way forward”, but said he intends, nevertheless, “to invite Syrians to parallel, or simultaneous, thematic discussions through intra-Syrian working groups”. 

These plans have yet to be defined further, but regrettably don’t seem to offer anything new. 

What the UN envoy has in mind is to have ad hoc working groups discuss certain issues related to the Syrian conflict — such as protection of civilians, political, constitutional, military and security matters, public institutions and reconstruction — with the hope that this piecemeal approach may get the opposing sides closer to an agreement. 

Some 250,000 Syrians have been killed and nearly half the population — 12 million men, women and children — have been forced to flee their homes by the fighting, according to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who called Syria “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis”. 

There is no harm in trying new ideas for holding peace talks but judging by the deep divisions that still exist between Damascus and the opposition, it is hard to see how this proposal can really advance the cause of peace in Syria. 

Highlighting the “profound risks” of failing to act now, de Mistura told the Security Council that each passing month “reduces the prospects of ever restoring Syria as a unified state”. 

He noted that “the fear of black flags over Damascus”, (referring to the emblem of Daesh), was pushing some to reconsider their positions, but significant disagreement remained. 

It is regrettable that it takes the imminent threat of Daesh to bring Damascus to its senses and make it reconsider its stance, but conditions in the country have deteriorated to such an extent that the dangers posed by a major terrorist group are pushing the warring sides closer to an understanding and compromise.