Pedersen says strikes on Syrian civilian targets are forbidden under humanitarian law

30 June 2022


Syria does not need new military operations, strikes on the country's civilian infrastructure are strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law. UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said this on Wednesday, speaking by video link to the world organization's Security Council.


"In order to focus on advancing the political path, it is crucial to contain tensions and the dangers of military escalation. We are seeing ongoing and even increasing violence in various locations," the emissary said. - "There has been a significant escalation of fighting in Afrin and the northeast, along with clashes, drone strikes, shootings and Turkey's latest announcements of a new military operation".


"As the UN secretary-general's representative noted, what Syria needs is not new military operations, but a political solution and more humanitarian aid," Pedersen pointed out.


According to him, the "strikes attributed to Israel" are getting bigger and bigger. "Let me reiterate the secretary-general's concern <...> over the strikes at Damascus International Airport on June 10," the special envoy noted.


"Conducting strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Let me also reiterate the UN's firm position of respect for Syria's sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and independence," Pedersen said.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic world"

Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry

Based on materials from TASS