Fighting and violence in Syria have surged to the worst levels since 2020 and the country faces a growing humanitarian crisis as lawlessness rises, a UN-backed commission said in a report on Monday.
The UN Human Rights Council established the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria in 2011 after the civil war erupted that year.
In its latest report, the commission said that since October, Syria has seen the largest increase in fighting in four years.
“With the region in turmoil, a determined international effort to contain the fighting on Syrian soil is imperative,” said Paulo Pinheiro, chairman of the UN Commission of Inquiry.
“Syria, too, desperately needs a ceasefire.”
Mr Pinheiro said that more than 90 per cent of Syrians now live in poverty.
“The economy is in free-fall amid tightening sanctions and increased lawlessness is fuelling predatory practices and extortion by armed forces and militia,” he said.
Since the start of the Israel-Gaza war, regional tension has soared, raising concerns of a wider conflict.
Israel has conducted strikes on Iran-affiliated targets in Syria, including at key airports, disrupting UN humanitarian efforts.
And in response to more than 100 attacks on their bases by pro-Iran militias, US forces have launched retaliatory air strikes in Syria's east.
Syria and Russia have launched strikes on more than 2,300 locations in areas held by the opposition, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
These widespread assaults, said the Commission, could constitute war crimes.
In Idlib, Hayat Tahrir Al Sham continued to commit acts of torture, ill-treatment and unlawful deprivation of liberty, with reports of executions based on summary trials, including for witchcraft, adultery and murder, the report states.
It underscored a growing humanitarian crisis that is pushing Syrians into an increasingly dire situation.
The surge in asylum requests from Syrians in Europe this past October, at a seven-year peak, comes as no shock, commissioner Hanny Megally said.
The commission will present its report to the UN Human Rights Council on March 18, underlining the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate action to ease the suffering of the Syrian people.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
