UN Coordinator in Syria: Optimistic About Reconstruction if Transition Succeeds

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Coordinator in Syria: Optimistic About Reconstruction if Transition Succeeds

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Since 2012, the United Nations Resident Coordinator's developmental role in Syria has been put on hold by the UN. However, the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad’s regime has revived this role.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, outlined plans for reconstruction in partnership with the new government in Damascus.

Abdelmoula expressed “great optimism” about Syria’s rebuilding but stressed that the key to rapid recovery is the “success of the transition.”

He explained that this means the transitional period—until a new constitution is agreed upon and an elected government is formed—must be secure and supported by consensus among all Syrians.

Additionally, momentum is building for Syria’s reconstruction, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries proposing an international donor conference next spring to raise funds.

Abdelmoula said the UN is consulting with the new Syrian administration to prepare projects and cost estimates for the event.

The UN is preparing aid and technical support for Syria’s new administration, along with a development plan focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, restoring electricity, reviving health services, and supporting agriculture and irrigation to boost the economy.

“We’ve informed the new administration of our work through a letter sent to the foreign minister,” said Abdelmoula.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the UN’s “early recovery strategy,” launched last November, is still in place, though its fund has yet to be registered with the trust fund office in New York.

He promised to prioritize its registration and said: “When reconstruction begins in Syria, we will work to establish a dedicated reconstruction fund.”

As for relying on donors for rebuilding Syria, Abdelmoula said: “The UN doesn’t have the billions of dollars needed, but lessons from similar crises show the importance of focusing on strategic priorities, especially rebuilding the economic foundations.”

Abdelmoula noted that UN agencies can secure funding from donors who support development activities in various countries, a process that had been stalled in Syria for over a decade.

“Since the fall of the Syrian regime, many countries, particularly Arab and neighboring ones, have provided significant aid, and this is expected to increase,” he said.

“There are also positive signals from donors, especially Europeans, about boosting humanitarian aid, including continuing the annual Brussels Conference to support Syria,” added Abdelmoula.

He revealed that the mission has learned the European Union will resume hosting the conference this year, despite the fall of Assad’s regime.

The UN official addressed Syria’s sanctions, stating that those harming the Syrian people should be lifted.

He noted that the recent Riyadh meeting showed a strong intention from key international players to ease or fully lift the sanctions.

Abdelmoula pointed out the US decision to suspend some sanctions for six months and mentioned an upcoming EU foreign ministers' meeting to discuss either lifting or easing sanctions to support Syria’s economy, humanitarian aid, banking, and market access.

He explained that some sanctions are imposed by countries like the US, Germany, France, and the UK, which are discussing the best way forward. However, he said fully lifting sanctions may take time due to laws like the US Caesar Act.

Abdelmoula stressed that efforts should focus on reducing the impact of sanctions under the Caesar Act and working to pass new legislation to cancel it. He said this should also apply to sanctions from other countries in the form of laws.

He explained that lifting sanctions would make it easier for the UN and help both the Syrian government and people. A direct benefit would be Syria’s ability to access direct funding, concessional loans from international funds and the World Bank, and grants.

Abdelmoula explained that the UN’s humanitarian work in Syria focuses on helping people in need, regardless of which political group controls the area.

“Our efforts have included people in regions outside the former regime's control in northwestern and northeastern Syria,” he said.

As the UN Resident Coordinator, Abdelmoula represents the UN in the country.

“The government recognized until December 8 was Bashar al-Assad’s, which is why my credentials were sent to it, as is the usual practice,” he noted.

Abdelmoula also pointed out that the UN’s development work in Syria was halted since 2012 due to a UN decision.

“After the regime fell, we announced that we would resume our development work,” he affirmed.



Yemen’s Defense Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Military Will Respond Firmly to Any Houthi Escalation

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Yemen’s Defense Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Military Will Respond Firmly to Any Houthi Escalation

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed al-Daeri said the country’s armed forces and all military formations are at a high state of readiness to respond firmly to any attacks or provocations by the Iran-aligned Houthi militias.

In the first remarks from a senior Yemeni military official following US strikes, al-Daeri said the Houthis bear full responsibility for the recent escalation, the imposition of international sanctions, and the militarization of regional waters, which have worsened the humanitarian and economic situation for Yemenis.

Al-Daeri warned the Houthis that all military formations under the Presidential Leadership Council are operating in close coordination and stand united against any escalation by the group.

The warning comes after the US launched a large-scale military campaign on March 15 targeting Houthi sites and leaders in response to their continued attacks on commercial shipping and international navigation in the Red Sea.

“Our brave armed forces and all military units under the Presidential Leadership Council are at a high level of readiness to respond firmly to any attacks or reckless actions by the Houthi militia,” al-Daeri told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“There is strong coordination among all these forces through the Joint Operations Command, which includes representatives from each formation, ensuring a unified front against any escalation by the terrorist Houthi militias,” he added.

The minister also said the Iran-aligned Houthis have rejected all peace initiatives and opted for destructive escalation, harming Yemeni lives and threatening international security by targeting global shipping routes.

“Despite the Presidential Leadership Council and the government making concessions to ease the suffering of the Yemeni people and responding to peace efforts led by Saudi Arabia and the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, the Houthi militias have remained defiant,” he said.

“They have dismissed these initiatives and escalated their attacks, targeting livelihoods, oil infrastructure, and extending their terrorism to international waters, disrupting global trade and security,” added al-Daeri.