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The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, has condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory as a serious violation of international law and Syria’s sovereignty.
The strikes, carried out late Friday, hit targets in Damascus, Harasta, Daraa, and Hama. Pedersen warned the attacks could further destabilize the region and endanger civilian lives.
Takeaway: The UN is calling for restraint as violence resurges across Syria.
What Happened?
According to Israeli military sources, the operations targeted military facilities and anti-aircraft systems in various parts of Syria.
Ground troops were also reportedly present in southern Syria, where Israel claims it was protecting Druze villages under threat from nearby clashes. These events unfolded as sectarian tensions surged across the region.
Syrian state media reported:
- One civilian death
- Four injuries in central Syria
- Over 20 strikes on military positions—the most intense Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory this year, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Takeaway: Israel says the strikes were defensive; critics call it an overreach.
Sectarian Tensions Rising
The airstrikes followed several days of conflict between pro-Assad forces and Druze militias, especially in southern Syria.
Nearly 100 people have died in the renewed violence, which has drawn condemnation and concern from international observers.
Israel, home to a significant Druze population, has declared its intent to defend Druze communities in Syria against external threats.
Takeaway: Sectarian clashes are spilling over, drawing in regional powers like Israel.
UN Demands De-escalation
Pedersen released a public statement:
“I strongly condemn Israel’s ongoing and escalating violations of Syria’s sovereignty, including numerous airstrikes in Damascus and other cities.”
He urged Israel to halt all military operations and to respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and independence. He also emphasized the need to protect civilians caught in the crossfire of Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed these sentiments, calling the strikes a “dangerous escalation.”
Takeaway: The UN wants both restraint and respect for international law.
A Bigger Picture
This latest surge in violence comes after the removal of President Bashar al-Assad in December, which left Syria fractured among rival factions.
The Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory are now being seen not only as a regional security issue but as a potential flashpoint for broader instability, with global implications.
Takeaway: Without de-escalation, Syria risks becoming the epicenter of a new regional crisis.
