US says aid to camps in PKK/YPG-controlled areas of Syria ‘cannot continue indefinitely’
The al-Hol camp in Syria. (AFP Photo)
The United States has signaled that its humanitarian assistance to camps in PKK/YPG-controlled areas of Syria will not continue indefinitely, according to Dorothy Shea, the U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (U.N.).
‘Aid cannot continue forever’
Speaking at a U.N. Security Council (UNSC) meeting, Shea addressed the situation in Al-Hol and Roj camps, where former Daesh fighters, their families, and civilians displaced by conflict are housed.
She emphasized that the U.S. has played a crucial role in maintaining security in these camps, but that Washington cannot shoulder this burden alone.
“However, this aid cannot continue forever,” Shea stated.
She added that the U.S. has long carried more than its share of the responsibility and stressed that “the camps cannot remain the direct financial responsibility of the United States.”
Shea urged other countries to repatriate their nationals from these camps as quickly as possible, emphasizing the need for an international effort to address the situation.
Concerns over Iranian influence in Syria
Shea also expressed concern about newly formed armed groups in Syria, which she claimed are attempting to draw Israel into direct conflict.
“Reports indicate that these groups continue to receive financial and logistical support from Iran, even after its withdrawal from Syria,” Shea said.
She further alleged that Iran is seeking to rebuild its presence in the region and called for a unified stance against Tehran’s influence.
“We must all call on Iran to stop undermining Syria’s stability and security,” she said.
US calls for inclusive political transition in Syria
Referring to remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Shea reiterated Washington’s stance on a political transition in Syria that includes broad representation of Syrian voices.
“The United States believes that Security Council members must continue encouraging the broad representation of Syrian voices in shaping the country’s future,” she stated.
The UNSC meeting was part of ongoing international discussions about Syria’s political, security, and humanitarian challenges, including the future of PKK/YPG-controlled territories and broader regional dynamics.
