UN urges all parties to 'continue dialogue' as Syrian security forces take control

HAMILTON, Canada

The UN on Tuesday urged all parties to "continue dialogue" as Syrian security forces have taken control and started restoring order at the Al-Hol camp in eastern Hasakah,

He said any agreement that halts hostilities would be a welcome step toward reducing violence.

Asked about the recent "mutual understanding" that has been reached between the government and the YPG/SDF terrorist organization, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said at a news conference, "Obviously, if there is an agreement on the ground and understanding on the ground, that will put a hold on the violence, that would be a welcome development."

"We'll have to see what happens in the coming hours," he said, noting that the UN is "hopeful that the parties will continue to be in dialogue with each other, and that they will take measures to reduce the violence."

While stating that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is following developments in northeast Syria with "great concern," Haq said Guterres "stresses the importance of securing detention facilities."

"The secretary general urges the parties to continue dialogue, and to move forward in good faith, and work together to secure the implementation of all agreements," he added.

Early Tuesday, the Syrian presidency said a "mutual understanding" had been reached with the SDF on the future of the eastern Hasakah province as of 8 pm local time (1700GMT).

Under the deal, the SDF was given "four days for consultations" to prepare "a detailed plan for practical integration of the areas," it said.