US Ambassador to UN Says Conditions in Syria Not Suitable for Return of Refugees

 Syrian refugees transport small stones for their tents at al-Zaatari refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria, September 15, 2014. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Syrian refugees transport small stones for their tents at al-Zaatari refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria, September 15, 2014. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
TT
20

US Ambassador to UN Says Conditions in Syria Not Suitable for Return of Refugees

 Syrian refugees transport small stones for their tents at al-Zaatari refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria, September 15, 2014. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Syrian refugees transport small stones for their tents at al-Zaatari refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria, September 15, 2014. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

United States envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield said the current conditions in Syria are not suitable for the return of refugees.

She made her remarks Friday during a visit to the Zaatari camp, located 85 km northeast of the Jordanian capital Amman, which almost houses 80,000 Syrian refugees.

“While we know the ultimate goal is for refugees to return home, what I heard today is that people remain fearful about the conditions in Syria and are not ready to return,” she noted.

“It is indisputable that the current environment is not conducive to return. My takeaway from this visit is that the international community must be vigilant in ensuring that any refugee returns are safe, voluntary, and dignified.”

“We appreciate the Jordanians’ enormous generosity in hosting such a large Syrian refugee population, as well as refugees from other regional conflicts,” Greenfield added.

She also hailed Jordan's commitment to providing safe shelter for its neighbors for many years, saying it sets an example to the world.

During her visit, the UN envoy met with Syrian refugees living in the camp and visited community centers and services run by the UNHCR and other UN Agencies.

“After 10 years of war, we know that hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees is no easy task,” she stressed, noting that for this reason, the US remains the biggest donor to the Syrian refugee response.

She affirmed she will use her platform at the UN to encourage others to contribute to this cause.

Jordan hosts about 650,000 UN-registered Syrian refugees, while Amman estimates the number of those who have sought refuge in Jordan since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria at about 1.3 million.

Last summer, Jordan said the number of Syrians who left Jordan to return to their country since 2018 did not exceed 50,000.



Türkiye Says Israeli Raid on Gaza Aid Boat Violated International Law

A tug vessel puts out a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience off Malta on May 2, 2025. Malta Government Department of Information via Reuters
A tug vessel puts out a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience off Malta on May 2, 2025. Malta Government Department of Information via Reuters
TT
20

Türkiye Says Israeli Raid on Gaza Aid Boat Violated International Law

A tug vessel puts out a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience off Malta on May 2, 2025. Malta Government Department of Information via Reuters
A tug vessel puts out a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience off Malta on May 2, 2025. Malta Government Department of Information via Reuters

Türkiye on Monday condemned Israel's seizure of a Gaza-bound aid vessel which it said was carrying Turkish citizens as well as activist Greta Thunberg among its 12-strong crew, calling the move a "clear violation of international law".

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the intervention threatened maritime security and "once again demonstrates that Israel is acting as a terror state."

Israeli naval forces boarded and seized a charity vessel that had tried to break a naval blockade of the war-torn Gaza Strip on Monday and the boat with its crew of 12, including activist Greta Thunberg, is now heading to a port in Israel.

The British-flagged yacht, Madleen, which is operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was aiming to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza later on Monday and raise international awareness of the humanitarian crisis there.