On the situation in Northeast Syria, the violence against civilians and the need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire

B100140/2026

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Northeast Syria, the violence against civilians and the need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire

(2026/2602(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Syria, in particular its resolution of 24 October 2019 on the Turkish military operation in north-east Syria and its consequences, and its resolution of 11 March 2021 on the Syrian conflict – 10 years after the uprising,

– having regard to the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the domestic affairs of states,

– having regard to the relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Syria, in particular UNSC Resolution 2254 (2015) of 18 December 2015 endorsing a road map for a peace process in Syria, and the Geneva Communiqué of 2012,

– having regard to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the additional protocols thereto,

– having regard to the Council conclusions of 3 April 2017 on an EU strategy for Syria and the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of 14 March 2017 on elements for an EU strategy for Syria (JOIN(2017)0011),

– having regard to the Foreign Affairs Council conclusions on Syria of February 2026 welcoming ceasefire efforts in north-east Syria,

– having regard to the Foreign Affairs Council conclusions on the EU regional strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the ISIL/Daesh threat, adopted on 16 March 2015,

– having regard to the statements by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, and recent UN reports on the humanitarian situation in Syria,

– having regard to the current internal security challenges faced by Member States, including threats posed by terrorist elements and irregular migration flows,

– having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas 15 years after the outbreak of conflict in Syria in March 2011, the general security situation has significantly improved compared to 2024, with large-scale hostilities having abated and the current phase representing a fragile transition towards stabilisation rather than an ongoing full-scale civil war;

B. whereas although violence against civilians in north-east Syria remains regrettable and continues to cause human suffering, it is localised and significantly reduced compared to the peak years of the conflict;

C. whereas the humanitarian situation in Syria, while fragile, is primarily being addressed by numerous UN resident entities and humanitarian agencies operating on the ground with substantial international funding, including significant contributions from the EU and its Member States since 2011;

D. whereas recent ceasefire arrangements in north-east Syria represent a fragile opportunity for de-escalation; whereas Turkish President Erdoğan has welcomed the ceasefire while stating that armed Kurdish structures must lay down arms and disband and that Syrian territory must be cleared of organisations designated as terrorist groups by Türkiye;

E. whereas according to the position expressed consistently by US officials, including President Trump, the Syrian conflict is primarily a regional issue requiring regional solutions rather than indefinite external military involvement;

F. whereas Israel continues to assess the situation primarily through the lens of preventing Iranian military entrenchment near its borders and the transfer of advanced weaponry to hostile non-state actors;

G. whereas the management and security of detention facilities in north-east Syria holding thousands of ISIS-affiliated detainees and their family members raise serious concerns about the potential for escape or release, which would pose direct security threats to the region and to Europe;

H. whereas the progressive stabilisation of Syria creates conditions that allow for consideration of the safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees to their country of origin in accordance with international law and the principle of non-refoulement;

I. whereas uncontrolled migration flows linked to regional conflicts have created long-term security, social and financial burdens for EU Member States and their citizens;

J. whereas the responsibilities of the EU and its institutions include the security of European citizens and the protection of the EU’s external borders;

K. whereas the EU and its Member States have allocated billions of euros in financial assistance to addressing the Syrian crisis since 2011, including humanitarian aid, support for neighbouring countries hosting refugees, and stabilisation efforts;

1. Expresses its regret over the continued suffering of civilians and the fragile humanitarian conditions in parts of north-east Syria; underscores the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, medical facilities, schools and humanitarian personnel;

2. Notes the relative improvement of the overall security and political situation in Syria compared to the peak years of conflict and considers this a necessary precondition for gradual normalisation and the possibility of a political reconciliation process;

3. Observes that the current situation in Syria no longer constitutes a full-scale civil war but rather a transitional stabilisation phase, recognising that the overall level and intensity of violence remain significantly lower than during the period 2011-2019;

4. Reaffirms its support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian state in accordance with international law and UNSC Resolution 2254 (2015); recalls that a sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict can only be achieved through a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process under UN auspices;

5. Welcomes the strong operational presence and humanitarian work of UN agencies in Syria and considers them the primary and most appropriate international actors responsible for coordinating humanitarian assistance and monitoring the humanitarian situation on the ground;

6. Notes the lifting of all economic restrictive measures on Syria by the EU, with the exception of those based on security grounds; believes that this decision will support the Syrian people in reuniting and rebuilding their country and will pave the way for economic recovery and opportunities for Syrians returning to their homeland;

7. Expresses serious concern regarding the security of detention facilities in north-east Syria holding ISIS-affiliated individuals; warns of the risk of dangerous individuals being released or escaping, who may then attempt to reach Europe; calls for maximum vigilance and strengthened controls at Member States’ external borders to prevent terrorist infiltration;

8. Takes note of the position of Türkiye regarding the ceasefire while demanding the disarmament and dissolution of armed groups that it considers security threats along its borders;

9. Acknowledges the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the United States and regional actors in facilitating recent ceasefire arrangements in north-east Syria; recognises the position that the Syrian conflict is fundamentally regional in nature and should be addressed primarily through regional diplomatic mechanisms;

10. Notes Israel’s security concerns regarding the potential Iranian military presence and infrastructure in Syria, potentially threatening regional stability and Israeli security;

11. Emphasises that in its engagement in Syria, the EU should use its diplomatic tools to support the peaceful transition rather than direct political or military involvement in a conflict that is fundamentally regional in character; calls for all humanitarian support for Syria to go through multilateral channels;

12. Calls on the Member States to facilitate the safe and orderly return of Syrian nationals who no longer require international protection, so they can contribute to the reconstruction of their country;

13. Emphasises that European taxpayers cannot be expected to bear indefinitely the financial burden arising from displacement linked to a conflict that is progressively stabilising;

14. Stresses that the EU’s primary concern regarding Syria must be the internal security of Member States and effective counter-terrorism measures rather than external state-building; calls for strengthened EU border controls and enhanced internal security vigilance to prevent individuals who pose terrorist threats from entering;

15. Opposes the strengthening of EU political engagement in Syria beyond diplomatic tools, humanitarian support via international organisations and measures directly related to European security interests;

16. Recalls that the EU and its Member States have already allocated billions of euros in financial assistance related to the Syrian crisis since 2011; calls for the EU to limit further direct financial contributions to humanitarian assistance channelled through UN agencies and to avoid involvement in state-building, reconstruction or budgetary support that goes beyond immediate humanitarian needs;

17. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, and the governments of the states parties to the Syrian conflict.