White Helmets aid civilians in Idlib after regime airstrikes on Al-Jalaa Street, December 2, 2024.

The situation in Syria is rapidly shifting, with escalating violence threatening millions of civilians. Please sign this petition to pressure the UN Security Council to protect civilians and support a democratic political transition.

Last Wednesday, opposition groups launched a military operation to retake towns that were captured by the Assad regime, supported by Iran and Russia, in 2020. They have made unprecedented advances into the major cities Aleppo and Hama. It has spread hope that change is on its way but also uncertainty about how the area will be governed – and fear of the reprisal that the regime immediately unleashed on the population.

Aleppo and Idlib are being bombarded by the regime and Russia and at least 100 civilians, including 36 children, have been killed according to the White Helmets first responders. Before Syria slips into another tragedy, the UN Security Council must act to stop these brutal attacks.

Together, let's call on the UN to take immediate action to ensure that all civilians, medical workers and humanitarians in Syria are protected. The failure to secure a real political solution has led to what we are witnessing today. This is a decisive moment for Syria and the international community must seize it to restart Syria’s stalled UN-led political process, with a clear timeline for political transition that leads to free elections, as outlined in UN Resolution 2254.

At this critical time, world leaders must take decisive steps to assist civilians at risk and to support Syria's vibrant civil society, a key force resisting both authoritarianism and extremism. If we act together, we have the chance to end the regime's impunity, save lives and write a new chapter for Syria, rooted in justice, peace and democracy.