Latest updates on country situation
06 September 2023
By 6 September 2023, ten days of clashes between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the Arab-led Military Council militia had resulted in at least 54 unconfirmed deaths. The fighting erupted in the countryside of Deir-ez-Zor city in northeastern Syria. Displacement has been observed, mainly to Al-Mayadeen west of Euphrates River, but there is not enough information on the numbers or scale. Curfews, blockages in the main roads of many towns, and road damage have resulted in shortages of essential commodities, such as bread and flour. Clashes have also damaged critical public infrastructure, such as hospitals and water treatment facilities. Some of the immediate needs include shelter, drinking water, and food. Deir-ez-Zor and northeastern Syria in general already face a humanitarian crisis, with 12 years of conflict displacing almost 700,000 people in northeastern Syria alone. These people are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid. (Enab Baladi 05/09/2023,
OCHA 04/09/2023, MSF accessed 06/09/2023)
18 July 2023
As at 19 July 2023, the UNSC Resolution 2672 (2023), which expired on 10 July, has still not been renewed. The resolution allowed the delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance to northwest Syria through Bab Al Hawa crossing, on the Syria-Türkiye border.
Following the February earthquakes, the Syrian government allowed the use of two other crossings on the Syria-Türkiye border to deliver aid and assistance to the affected population in northwestern Syria. The permission comes to an end on 13 August.
The 12 years of conflict and the earthquakes in February 2023 resulted in significant humanitarian needs for the population in northwestern Syria. Priority needs are shelter, food, and health assistance.
Failing to renew the cross-border resolution on the use of Bab Al Hawa border-crossing jeopardizes the main UN-coordinated aid delivery mechanism to northwestern Syria. The cross-border humanitarian operation provides aid for around four million people in the region, including around three million IDPs, of which around 1.9 million live in 1,420 camps and informal sites.
(ACAPS 16/06/2023, AP News 15/07/2023, Aljazeera 13/05/2023)
23 May 2023
As at 24 May 2023, the Semalka border crossing connecting Northeast Syria with Iraq had been closed for four days following disputes between the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the Kurdish-controlled Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. Around three million people live in Northeast Syria, including over 655,000 IDPs. The Semalka border is a vital crossing for the movement of people and goods between the two regions, and it is the only one that is not controlled by either the Syrian or Turkish Governments in Northeast Syria. Around two million people in Northeast Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance. The crossing has been used by humanitarian organisations, and its closure will have an impact on humanitarian operations, including the transport of supplies and staff. Before the Iraqi authorities closed the border on 20 May, over 300 international staff were evacuated.
current crises
in
Syria
These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.
REG015 - Turkiye / Syria earthquake (regional crisis)
Last updated 28/06/2023
Drivers
Earthquake
Crisis level
Regional
Severity level
4 High
Access constraints
5.0
SYR002 - Türkiye / Syria earthquake
Last updated 31/08/2023
Drivers
Earthquake
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3.4 High
Access constraints
5.0
REG004 - Syrian Regional Crisis
Last updated 28/06/2023
Drivers
Crisis level
Regional
Severity level
4.2 Very High
Access constraints
4.0
SYR001 - Conflict
Last updated 31/08/2023
Drivers
Conflict
Displacement
Violence
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
4.6 Very High
Access constraints
5.0
Analysis products
on
Syria
04 August 2023
Northern Syria: key crises to watch
DOCUMENT / PDF / 1,016 KB
This report provides an overview of three key humanitarian crises in northern Syria that are expected to deteriorate or see a significant humanitarian impact in the next 6 to 12 months.
Attached resources
21 July 2023
Syria: Cross-border resolution expiration
DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB
This report aims to provide an overview of the humanitarian impact of the failure of the UN Security Council to renew the mandate for crossborder delivery of humanitarian aid into Northwest Syria (NWS) after its expiry on 10 July 2023 and the contextual dynamics around this.
Attached resources
16 June 2023
Syria: Assessing increased protection risks and vulnerabilities after the earthquakes
DOCUMENT / PDF / 288 KB
The report provides an overview of the main protection threats in NWS that the February earthquakes have worsened. It is not a comprehensive list of all protection threats in the region. The analysis includes the differentiated impact on the population and the most at-risk groups.
15 March 2023
Syria: humanitarian access and response capacity in areas affected by the earthquakes
DOCUMENT / PDF / 445 KB
This report provides a snapshot of the humanitarian access situation and response capacity in northwestern Syria since 6 February, in both GCAs and NGCAs affected by the earthquakes. It is directed at informing humanitarian operational responders and decision makers to support response-planning.