INTRODUCTION: The Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, stands as one of the most catastrophic conflicts of the 21st century, resulting in massive loss of life, widespread displacement, and a humanitarian crisis. The war has drawn in various international actors, thus increasing the complexity of the crisis and complicating the dynamics of conflict resolution and humanitarian intervention. Amidst this turmoil, the United Nations (UN) has played a central role, attempting to mediate peace talks, provide humanitarian aid, and uphold international law. Yet, the UN’s effectiveness in addressing the Syrian crisis has sparked considerable debate among scholars, policymakers, and humanitarian organizations. This research article aims to analyse the role of the United Nations in the Syrian Civil War, exploring its strategies, challenges, and the broader implications of its actions on the ground. RELEVANCE: This research on understanding the United Nations’ role in the Syrian Civil War is crucial for comprehending the complexities of international intervention in conflicts. By examining the UN’s strategies and the challenges it faces, this research provides important insights that can inform future peacekeeping and humanitarian initiatives in similar crises like the Ukrainian-Russian War. Additionally, it contributes to the broader discourse on the efficacy of diplomacy and mediation in resolving conflicts, especially as global governance contends with mounting pressures from national interests and geopolitical rivalries. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: This paper evaluates the challenges faced by UN in facilitating the political resolution in Syria particularly, examining the influence of external powers, the fragmentation of conflicting parties and the implications of the constitutional committee’s stalled progress in the peace process. It specifically focuses on UN’s lack of enforcement mechanisms, the political deadlock within the United Nation Security Council (UNSC), and the challenges in ensuring the accountability for war crimes. THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN ADDRESSING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS DURING THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR Major Human Rights Violations in the Syrian Civil War: The Syrian civil war has resulted in significant human rights violations and a substantial loss of life. According to the United Nations Human Rights Office, at least 306,887 civilians were killed between March 2011 and March 2021, representing about 1.5% of Syria’s pre-war population. Estimates of the total number of deaths, including combatants and non-civilians, vary. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported approximately 617,910 deaths from March 2011 to March 2024. Widespread human rights abuses have marked the conflict. All parties involved have conducted unlawful attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. The Syrian government, in particular, has been implicated in mass killings, torture, and the use of chemical weapons against civilian populations. The war has also led to a massive displacement crisis, with millions of Syrians forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge both within and outside the country. Analysis of the UN’s Accountability on War Crimes:For over 13 years, the government of Syria, its allies, and armed opposition groups have perpetrated countless attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, violating international law. Government forces have committed murder, torture, and sexual violence as a matter of state policy. All parties to the conflict continue to commit acts that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, and repeated violations of ceasefires heighten the risk of recurrence of large-scale conflict. It remains unsafe for Syrians to return to their country. As various armed groups attempt to consolidate their control over territory in a fragmented Syria, civilians are facing indiscriminate hostilities and systematic human rights violations in Syria. Detention and disappearance are used by the government and other parties as a strategy to control and intimidate civilians, confirming ongoing patterns of crimes against humanity and war crimes. Despite the ICJ provisional measures order, the Syrian government continues to perpetrate enforced disappearance, torture, and ill-treatment against detainees and deliberately obstruct families’ efforts to learn the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones. The grave situation across Syria is partly a consequence of the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) inability to hold perpetrators accountable. Since 2013, the UNSC has passed dozens of resolutions on the situation in Syria; however, none have been fully implemented, and the Syrian government has directly violated many of them. Russia and China have jointly vetoed ten draft resolutions, and Russia has independently vetoed an additional eight, shielding Syria from international accountability. To close the accountability gap, on 21 December 2016, the UNGA established an International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of atrocities in Syria. Several countries have initiated proceedings or convicted suspected Syrian perpetrators under universal jurisdiction. In June 2023, Canada and the Netherlands jointly initiated proceedings against Syria before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning alleged violations of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. On 16 November 2023, the ICJ issued provisional measures calling on the government of Syria to prevent acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and ensure its officials do not commit any acts of torture while preserving relevant evidence. [Un report by global center] United Nations Mediation in Syria: The UN mediation efforts are generally guided by preventive diplomacy, impartiality, and consensus-building among conflicting parties. Mediation efforts are complicated in situations like civil war; it becomes more challenging due to the fragmented nature of the parties involved (Becovitch and Jackson, “Conflict Resolution in Civil Wars”). The Geneva Process:The earliest attempt of the UN was the Geneva Process in 2012. The cornerstone of the initial mediation was the Geneva Communiqué, which was adopted at an international conference by Kofi Annan. This communiqué outlined a six-point plan for peace, which included measures aimed at de-escalating violence and paving the way for a political transition. The plan, introduced by then-UN-Arab League Special Envoy Kofi Annan in 2012, emphasized the following key points: Commitment to a Syrian-led political process: Syrian government and the opposition were urged by the United Nations to engage in an inclusive dialogue to resolve the conflict peacefully. Cessation of violence: All parties