ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - United Nations Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen said on Tuesday that while much of Syria appears stable following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, stability remains “fragile,” with ongoing violence and displacement in the northeast Syria (Rojava) threatening the country's peace. “We are seeing a Syria that is stable at present in many parts. Many in Damascus tell me that law and order improved significantly after two initial days of instability,” Pedersen said while briefing the UN Security Council. The statement comes amid historic changes in Syria as a coalition of militia groups, led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ousted Assad on December 8. The collapse of the regime marked a new start in Syria’s history. The HTS-led groups established a transitional government led by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir who has promised a future Syrian state that guarantees the rights of all its citizens. “Stability can be fragile in many parts of Syria, and in the northeast there are still front-lines and open hostilities in which civilians are being killed, injured and displaced,” Pedersen emphasized. His comments come amid reports of preparations by Turkey and its Syrian allied militia groups to attack Kobane. The US brokered a four-day ceasefire between the SDF and Turkey last week. US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Tuesday that the ceasefire has been extended. "It is extended through the end of the week, and we will obviously look to see that ceasefire extended as far as possible in the future. It came about through our ongoing diplomatic work with the SDF and with the government of Turkey,” he said, adding that the initial agreement was brokered through their “diplomatic engagements” last week. ISIS attacked Kobane in 2014, invading parts of the city. But the SDF, with the help of the US-led global coalition against ISIS and Peshmerga forces, was able to liberate the city after a few months. “Civilians must be protected wherever they are. There must be de-escalations towards a nationwide ceasefire, as well as efforts to address tensions between military factions,” the envoy remarked, adding, “My door door is open and I hope in the coming days we can build the dialogue.” The leader of the HTS, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who led the rebel offensive to oust the regime, met on Sunday with visiting Pedersen, stressing the need to achieve Syrian unity and economic development. In a message to the Kurds on Sunday, the HTS leader sought to ease their fears, saying they are “part of the homeland” and “there will be no injustice” against them. “Stability will not last long if not built on credible and inclusive foundations,” Pedersen warned.
