Synopsis
On March 5, a UN special envoy condemned Israel's military actions in Syria, urging an end to violations. The envoy emphasized the need for respect of Syria's sovereignty and adherence to international law to maintain regional stability and peace.Key Takeaways
- UN envoy condemns Israel's military escalations.
- Call for an end to violations and conflict escalation.
- Emphasis on Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Israel's airstrikes targeted Syrian military sites.
- Need for constructive dialogue and international law adherence.
United Nations, March 5 (NationPress) A UN special envoy has strongly condemned Israel's military escalations in Syria, including airstrikes, calling for an end to violations and urging a halt to actions that could escalate conflict.
"Such actions are unacceptable and pose a risk of further destabilizing an already fragile situation, increasing regional tensions, and undermining efforts aimed at de-escalation and a sustainable political transition in accordance with the key principles of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015)," Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, stated on Tuesday.
Pedersen expressed his deep concern regarding Israel's ongoing breaches of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.
The special envoy urged Israel to end these violations, adhere to its international obligations, and avoid unilateral actions that heighten conflict.
Pedersen called on all involved parties to respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity.
"Constructive dialogue and strict adherence to international agreements and law are vital for security in Syria and the wider region," he added.
On Monday night, Israel carried out airstrikes targeting a Syrian air defense battalion near the western coastal city of Tartus, according to Syrian state media.
Moreover, Israel deployed troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone that has separated Israeli and Syrian forces in the strategic Golan Heights since 1974.
A spokesperson for the Israeli military confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces had struck a military facility in Qardaha, a town close to Tartus, noting that these attacks were a response to "recent developments in the region."
This incident marks the latest Israeli operation in Syria, where, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, Israel has sent ground forces and conducted airstrikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated last month that southern Syria must be completely demilitarized, warning that his administration would not tolerate the presence of forces from the new Syrian-led government near its borders.
Even prior to Assad's fall, during the civil war that began in 2011, Israel executed hundreds of strikes within Syria, primarily targeting government forces and Iranian-linked positions.
On the same day Assad was ousted, Israel announced that its forces were entering the UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights.
Israel captured a significant portion of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 war and subsequently annexed the region, a move that remains largely unrecognized by the international community.
