The FDFA is monitoring with concern recent military developments in Syria and the major implications they have for the civilian population. Hostilities in the Afrin region, attacks against numerous medical facilities in Idlib Governorate, intensified bombardments in Eastern Ghouta and rocket fire in the Damascus suburbs have resulted in hundreds of civilian victims and destroyed major civil infrastructure. The FDFA is especially concerned about recent allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Idlib Governorate and Eastern Ghouta. The FDFA is also worried about the risk of the armed conflict spreading into neighbouring countries.
The FDFA strongly condemns any attack directly targeting the civilian population and calls on all parties involved in the conflict to comply with international law, including the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law, and to respect human rights.
The FDFA calls on those states wielding influence over the parties to the conflict to avoid any actions that could lead to the subsequent resurgence of violence and involve risks of the conflict spreading to neighbouring countries. The FDFA encourages all parties to the conflict to engage fully and constructively in the talks on Syria facilitated by the United Nations in Geneva to find a political solution to the armed conflict in Syria.
Original source: FDFA
Published on 12 February 2018
