Syria: UN Secretary General calls on Israeli forces to urgently de-escalate and withdraw from the Golan buffer zone
in one Note the reporter released on Thursday, António Guterres said he was “deeply concerned by the recent and widespread violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Air strikes, incursions
Since the de facto government of the armed group HTS took control of Damascus on Sunday, Israeli forces have reportedly taken over an abandoned Syrian military post overlooking the city in the border area. Golan and other areas of the “separation zone” between Israel and Syria.
United Nations withdrawal observer force, undowas founded by Security Council in May 1974 to maintain a ceasefire between Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Mountains and monitor the divided areas.
Israeli forces not only moved into areas of the separation zone – they said only temporarily until new security measures were put in place – but also conducted a “defensive” air campaign against weapons depots, military installations and assets such as airports, as well as bombing naval vessels off the Syrian coast.
Emergency down stairs
“The Secretary General is particularly concerned by hundreds of Israeli airstrikes on a number of locations in Syria,” the statement said, and called for urgent de-escalation “on all fronts, throughout Syria.”
Many areas in Syria are not under HTS control, with several armed groups holding territory in the south, far north and northeast, where Kurdish fighters are said to have captured the town of Deir- ez-Zor. Affiliates of the designated ISIL terrorist group also maintain a foothold in central Syria, where US warplanes have targeted them this week.
Golan Agreement
The UN chief’s statement emphasized that the 1974 Disengagement Agreement “remains in force” and must be maintained, “including ending all unauthorized presence in the separation and containment zones.” refrain from all actions that undermine the ceasefire and stability in the Golan.” .”
Mr. Guterres also declared that “it is imperative to support credible, orderly and comprehensive transition arrangements in Syria.”
