UN Secretary General António Guterres has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Syria, following recent airstrikes near the presidential palace in Damascus. Through a statement issued by UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres condemned acts of violence against civilians and reaffirmed the need for Israel to respect Syria’s sovereignty.
Dujarric outlined the UN’s concerns over violence in the suburbs of Damascus, particularly regarding targeted assassinations of local administration officials. Emphasizing the importance of avoiding further escalation, Guterres called upon all parties to halt hostilities to secure stability and safeguard Syria’s territorial integrity. He expressed that “It is essential that these attacks stop and that Israel respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and independence.”
The Secretary General also advocated for a thorough and transparent investigation into potential human rights violations, highlighting the necessity for accountability as a means to restore community trust. According to 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.”
These developments came in the wake of airstrikes launched by Israel on Friday amid ongoing clashes involving Syria’s security forces, Druze minority groups, and Sunni Islamist fighters. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu cited concerns over the safety of the Druze minority, while the Syrian government strongly condemned the strikes as a dangerous violation of its sovereignty.
The actions have sparked references to Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state unless justified in self-defense or under a UN Security Council resolution. The UN Syria Commission subsequently warned about the potential threat to Syria’s fragile peace from these actions, stressing the urgency for international attention.
The UN Security Council has also voiced concerns, indicating that ongoing Israeli military actions might jeopardize Syria’s political transition. With a focus on accountability, the UN Syria Commission called on the interim government to prioritize human rights issues to establish a lasting peace. More detailed coverage of the UN’s response can be found on JURIST – News.