UN mediator warns of increasing violence in Syria

The United Nations Syria peacemediator warned on Wednesday that a recent increase in violencehas created one of the most dangerous moments in years of civilwar there, as the government bombards rebel areas and foreignpowers further intervene.

Last week was one of the bloodiest in the nearlyseven-year-old conflict as Syrian government forces, backed byRussia and Iran, bombarded two of the last major rebel areas:Eastern Ghouta and the northwestern province of Idlib.

The 15-member Security Council is currently negotiating apossible resolution, drafted by Kuwait and Sweden, that woulddemand a 30-day ceasefire in Syria to allow the delivery of aidand the evacuation of sick and wounded.

Regional stability at risk

The multi-sided conflict is also raging elsewhere, withTurkey waging an offensive against Syrian Kurdish forces in theAfrin region of northwestern Syria, while on Saturday, Syriangovernment anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli warplanereturning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria.

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"What we are seeing in Syria today not only imperils the de-escalation arrangements and regional stability, it alsoundermines the efforts for a political solution. Yet we will notbe deterred from pursuing the Geneva process, which is the onlysustainable path toward a political solution," De Mistura said.

The UN-led Geneva process to try and broker an end to theconflict has been making little or no progress. Last yearRussia, Turkey and Iran agreed "de-escalation" zones to easehostilities in western Syria where they wield influence.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told theSecurity Council that Russia was supposed to guarantee adherenceto the de-escalation zones and the removal of all chemicalweapons from its ally Syria.

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"Instead we see the Assad regime continue to bomb, starve and yes, gas, civilians," Haley said, referring to PresidentBashar al-Assad's government. "Russia can push the regime tocommit to seeking a real peace in Syria ... now is the time for Russia to use that leverage."

Russian UNAmbassador Vassily Nebenzia pushed back onHaley's remarks, saying the Syrian political process should befree from "external pressure."

He also called on the U.S.to "exert their influence" on Syrian opposition fightersto ensure they cease hostilities.