Syria: The Secretary -General condemns the violence in As -Suwayda and calls for the reduction of escalation

The Secretary -General expressed concern about the reports that talk about random killings of civilians, sectarian incitement, and looting of private property. The Secretary -General condemned all forms of violence against civilians, especially actions that threaten to stoke sectarian tensions.

The Secretary -General urged the interim authorities and local leaders to reduce escalation immediately, protect civilians, restore calm, and prevent more incitement. He also urged the interim authorities to investigate transparently and publicly and hold those responsible for those events accountable.

The Secretary -General also expressed concern about the Israeli air strikes on Syrian soil, calling on Israel to refrain from violating Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stressed the need to support credible, organized and comprehensive political transition in Syria in line with the main principles of Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015).

UN spokesman, Stephen Dujarric, said that the deputy of the Special Envoy of Syria, Najat Rushdie, is currently present in Syria and calls for a reduction in escalation and dialogue between the interim authorities and the local actors, adding that the resident coordinator and human affairs coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdel -Mawla, sends the same messages.

Also on the humanitarian level, reports from the United Nations partners working in the humanitarian field in As -Suwayda indicate that medical services are exhausted, and that basic markets and services such as electricity, water and education have been broken.

UN aid operations are still hanging in the affected areas, where the movement of main road mobility – but Stephen Dujarric said that the United Nations is ready to respond as soon as the situation allows this.

The UN investigation committee urges the protection of civilians

On the relevant level, the United Nations Investigation Committee issued a statement in which it expressed its deep concern about the renewed escalation of violence in As -Suwayda, and reminded that the interim Syrian government is “It takes responsibility for ensuring that human rights guaranteed to all individuals, protecting and implementing human rights, in a way that is free from any form of discrimination.”

It was reported that the recent violence in the Suwayda governorate resulted in the death of at least 51 people, including women and children, in addition to the injury of at least 100 other people, amid reports indicating a greater outcome.

The committee called on all parties to stop violence immediately, reduce escalation through dialogue, ensure the protection of fleeing civilians, and to provide safe corridors and access to humanitarian support.

The committee pointed out that the violence in the governorate has escalated greatly between the Bedouin tribes forces in As -Suwayda and a local armed group that includes members of the Druze community, which led to the deployment of security and military forces affiliated with the interim government, “and this resulted in a series of air strikes that Israel claimed responsibility for.”

In this context, the committee also expressed great concern about reports related to Israeli air strikes in the region, warning that any interference from a third country “It may lead to the expansion of the conflict, and the participation of more actors, which would increase the suffering of the Syrian people.”

The committee quoted local residents to inform them of killings and kidnappings, “In addition to burning and looting homes, and the risk of incitement and hatred,” Either on the ground or via the Internet, while the Ministry of Defense in the Syrian interim government reported the killing of at least 18 soldiers.

The committee confirmed that it is currently under investigation on allegations of violations and attacks related to international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the context of these events, adding that it will submit a report in this regard at the appropriate time.

Latakia fires

Meanwhile, the Office of Humanitarian Coordination (OCHA) reported that the United Nations and its partners continue to provide assistance to the affected societies from the recent forest fires in Lattakia Governorate, and this was done in coordination with the Syrian authorities.

According to the UN office, the fires were largely controlled, although separate fires continued. More than 1,100 people were displaced and more than 14,000 people were affected in general, with large areas of agricultural lands destroyed.

United Nations agencies – along with partner NGOs and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent – offer a set of forms of support, including mobile teams to provide health and nutrition services; Solar powers, tanks, and other basic home appliances; As well as bread and food quotas ready to eat; And clean water; And help in rehabilitating the affected schools.