UN Security Council Meeting on the ISIL attack & security situation in North-East Syria

[Thursday, 27 January 2022; 1500 hrs EST]

India Statement

Madam President,

I would like to thank Under Secretary General (USG) Vladimir Voronkov for his briefing today.

2.     In our remarks in the monthly meetings on political and humanitarian tracks, India has been repeatedly reiterating the looming threat posed by resurgence of terrorist groups in Syria. Sadly, the international community has been caught off guard in recognizing this imminent threat.

3.     The attacks by Daesh last week in the northeast of Syria in Al Hasakah which resulted in the killing and displacement of civilians, has once again underlined our oft stated concerns. Secretary General’s reports have repeatedly mentioned about UN designated terrorist groups such as ISIL and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, gaining in strength in Syria. This attack by Daesh is a  manifestation of this trend. Iraq has also seen terrorist attacks by Daesh and affiliated groups in the recent months. 

4.     We strongly condemn these attacks and reiterate that global fight against terrorism cannot and should not be compromised for narrow political gains. The re-emergence of ISIL/Daesh in Syria and Iraq calls for urgent action by the international community. We reiterate that terrorists can neither be defeated by forming alliances with non-sovereign entities nor by pushing narrow political agendas. In fact, such skewed approach will be counterproductive to our collective efforts. In this regard, we need to support regional member states in their measures against terrorists and UN designated terrorist groups.

5.     While we are focusing on the region of North East Syria only, the problem has now spread across the country. We call for an assessment by UN agencies to check the siphoning of humanitarian aid by terrorist groups and taking steps to counter the strengthening of their networks across Syria.

6.     There have been reports of using internally displaced young boys as human shields, as well as regular reports of attempts by ISIS to recruit them. Countries of origin of these vulnerable boys and their families need to take responsibility for them and should not allow this problem to fester forever.

7.     In conclusion, the expanding terrorist activities and strengthening of UN designated terrorist groups in Syria and the broader region, is a matter of critical concern and deserve serious introspection and concerted action by the international community. As Chair of Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC), India will continue to take up this issue with all stakeholders so that a zero tolerance approach to terror and its perpetrators becomes the common call of the international community.

I thank you.

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