Konflikten i Syrien

Syria demands immediate cessation of illegal attacks by US-led international coalition

27 May، 2017
Damascus, SANA – The Foreign and Expatriates Ministry on Saturday called for once again for the cessation of the US-led international coalition’s illegal actions, after the coalition’s warplanes targeted al-Mayadeen city in Deir Ezzor countryside which claimed the lives of 35 civilians.

In two letters sent by the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry to the UN Secretary General and the President of Security Council, the Ministry said that the illegal US-led coalition warplanes shelled on Friday the city of al-Mayadeen in the southeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor province, killing 35 civilians, the majority of whom were women and children, in addition to injuring scores of people.

The Ministry said that the new assault is part of a series of attacks carried out by the illegal international coalition against Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity under the pretext of combating terrorism, while the actions of this alliance only contribute to spreading chaos and destruction which benefits the extremist terrorist organizations, particularly ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terror organizations.

The letters said that taking into account the fact that the coalition’s actions blatantly contradict the UN Security Council’s resolutions, international law, and international humanitarian law, Syria reiterates the aggressive nature of this coalition and its support for parties that want only to kill innocent Syrian civilians, noting that the coalition admitted that hundreds of innocent Syrians were killed during the past months under pretexts that proved to be invalid.

The Ministry said that Syria condemns the attacks of the alliance which target civilians and cause massive material damage to the infrastructure, facilities, and properties in Syria, calling on the Security Council to implement its resolutions on preserving the integrity of Syria’s territory and people and stop the attacks of the illegal coalition, noting that these attacks coincide with attacks by ISIS and al-Nusra, and that the coalition also attacks the Syrian Army which if fighting terrorism.

The letters emphasized that some western permanent members have dominated the Security Council, particularly when it comes to the implementation of its decisions regarding Syria, along with the misleading and deceptive methods employed by countries such as France, Britain, and the United States, are the main factors in prolonging the crisis in Syria, affirming that these policies along with the practices of regional states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey further escalate the crisis in Syria and support terrorism, the same terrorism that targets other areas in the world like the recent attack in Manchester.

The Ministry concluded by saying that Syria reiterates the importance of halting the illegal US-led coalition’s actions and implementing Security Council resolutions related to counter-terrorism, including resolution no. 2253.

Time to Focus on US Strikes Killing Scores More Civilians in Syria

TEHRAN (FNA)- It is time for the international civil society to redouble efforts to reach the goal of zero civilian death by prioritizing the push for ceasefire and peace in Syria.
If the international community pulls together this year to incorporate proven solutions such as de-escalation zones and Syria-wide ceasefire into the UN framework for sustainable peace and security, it would be possible to reduce civilian deaths on a truly nationwide scale.

The regional efforts by Iran, Russia and Turkey, including the four de-escalation zones, and the current ceasefire talks with warring factions set targets for countries to lift themselves out of the US domain of influence and pressure. With the support of multiple UN initiatives and partners, the number of children and civilians killed by US strikes has decreased in the de-escalation zones by nearly half since the agreement was reached last month. This is encouraging.
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Just because the terrorist group of ISIL holds these areas does not mean less care can be taken by the United States and its partners in crime. Civilians should always be protected, whether they are in areas controlled by ISIL or by any other party.