OMM Newsroom
The UN on Tuesday called for the protection of civilians and respect for Syria’s sovereignty after Jordanian airstrikes in southern Syria, Anadolu Agency reported.
UN spokeswoman Daniela Gross De Almeida told reporters the organisation was closely monitoring developments and had taken note of statements from Jordanian and Syrian authorities about the operation and its circumstances.
“The Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, condemns any loss of civilian lives, and we underscore the obligation of all parties to take all precautions to protect civilians in line with international law,” De Almeida said.
She said the UN supported efforts by the parties to establish the facts surrounding the incident and stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of all member states in line with the UN Charter.
Jordan said the strikes in southern Syria killed more than 20 ISIS (Daesh) terrorists and destroyed a major weapons depot. Damascus condemned the operation as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and reported several casualties.
Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said the strikes followed a point at which Amman had “run out of patience” with the movements of terrorist groups and threats to its national security.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Jordan’s airstrikes on several locations in the southern province of Daraa, saying they had been carried out without prior coordination with Damascus.
