UN Secretary General demands a halt to acts of violence in Syria News
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UN Secretary General demands a halt to acts of violence in Syria

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday condemned the violence against civilians in Syria as well as Israel’s violations of Syria’s sovereignty, following airstrikes near the presidential palace in Damascus.

Through a statement from spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the UN chief expressed concern over the violence in the suburbs of Damascus, including assassinations of local administration figures. Additionally, Guterres called for an immediate halt to all hostilities and for the parties to avoid further escalation. Dujarric said, “It is essential that these attacks stop and that Israel respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and independence.”

The secretary-general also requested a transparent and open investigation of all possible human rights violations. As stated by Dujarric, “Only by upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice, accountability and reparations for victims and their families can Syria begin to rebuild trust across its fractured communities.”

The tensions follow Israel’s airstrikes near Syria’s presidential palace in Damascus on Friday, with Prime Minister Netanyahu citing concerns over the safety of the Druze minority amid deadly sectarian clashes with Syria’s security forces and allied Sunni Islamist fighters. The Syrian government, on the other hand, condemned the attacks as a dangerous escalation and a violation of its sovereignty.

According to Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state is prohibited, particularly unilateral military actions. Violations of Article 2(4), including unauthorized airstrikes, are justifiable only in self-defense or if dictated by UN Security Council resolutions.

On Friday, the UN Syria Commission warned that clashes in Damascus and Suweyda, encouraged by escalating Israeli airstrikes, seriously endanger Syria’s fragile peace, emphasizing the need for urgent international attention to prevent further displacement and destabilization. The UN Syria Commission stressed that accountability is crucial for a lasting peace in Syria, calling on the interim government to address human rights abuses. The UN Security Council also holds that the continued Israeli military action in Syria is putting its political transition at risk.

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