Hostilities in NE, NW Syria cause civilian casualties, damages – UN
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Hostilities in northeastern and northwestern Syria killed and injured dozens of civilians and caused damage to vital infrastructure, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said on Sep. 5.
Haq said in a press briefing that the Secretary-General, António Guterres, is concerned about the military escalation in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, and that, “Since 27 August, at least 54 civilians have been killed, including 4 children. Critical public infrastructure has also been damaged, including two hospitals and three water treatment facilities.”
He added that their partners on the ground called on all parties to “facilitate free and unimpeded movement and take measures to prevent attacks on health facilities and other civilian infrastructure.”
He said the Secretary-General, “strongly condemns all violence in Syria and urges all parties to respect their obligations under international law.”
On Aug. 27, the SDF launched a military operation called “Security Reinforcement” with the support of the US-led Global Coalition on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, specifically in Deir ez-Zor, “to eradicate ISIS sleeper cells, pursue criminals responsible for perpetrating injustices against the local population, and to track down smugglers who exploit the populace’s livelihoods.”
On Aug. 30, the SDF announced the dismissal of commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, from duty, for his involvement “in multiple crimes and violations, including communication and coordination with external entities hostile to the revolution, committing criminal offenses and engaging in drug trafficking, mismanaging of the security situation, his negative role in increasing the activities of ISIS cells,” according to the SDF.
The operation led to the eruption of clashes between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the dismissed leaders and with Nawaf al-Bashir, leader of al-Baggara tribe and a pro-Iranian figure whose groups are active in the western bank of the Euphrates which is under the control of the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.
The UN official also commented on the military escalation in northwest Syria saying, “an uptick in hostilities across Idlib and northern Aleppo Governorates has killed four civilians, including two children, and injured dozens of others. At least 500 families have been displaced.”
UN and its partners are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to deliver assistance when required, he added.
Manbij region in Aleppo eastern countryside and other areas within the de-escalation zone in northwest Syria have witnessed, since the beginning of September, fierce clashes between the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, known as the Syrian National Army (SNA), and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) on one hand, and the Syrian government forces on the other.