UN envoy ‘concerned’ about ‘open-ended Israeli military presence in Syria’
Claudio Cordone, the United Nations deputy special envoy for Syria, says he is “concerned by statements from senior Israeli officials advocating an open-ended Israeli military presence on Syrian territory”.
Speaking to the UN Security Council, the special envoy added that the Israeli presence violates Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is inconsistent with the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.
Cordone noted that Israeli forces have continued military activity in southern Syria, conducting ground incursions, house searches and the “destruction of private and agricultural property, particularly in Quneitra and Yarmouk Basin”.
He condemned an Israeli air strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase near Aleppo in northwest Syria, saying it was “another worrying development”.
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US envoy to UN calls for ‘de-escalation’ following Israeli air strikes on Syria
The US called for Israel and Syria to pursue “de-escalation” following Israeli air strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria last week.
Addressing the UN Security Council, US Deputy Representative Tammy Bruce said Washington “will continue to engage closely with both countries and with all regional stakeholders to promote dialogue and peaceful solutions”.
Israeli warplanes carried out eight air strikes on the runway and storage facilities at the Abu al-Duhur base near Aleppo in northwest Syria on August 18, causing damage to Syrian infrastructure.
Bruce, noting Washington’s decision to remove Syria from its list of “state sponsors of terrorism” earlier this week, said the historic milestone “will unlock international trade and investment opportunities”, greatly aiding the rebuilding of the country.
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