Syria condemns attacks on commercial ships carrying Syrian crews in Black Sea
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syria’s General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs on Monday condemned attacks targeting commercial vessels crewed by Syrian sailors in Ukrainian ports and nearby waters of the Black Sea, saying the incidents killed and injured several Syrian seafarers.
In a statement, the authority described the attacks on civilian merchant vessels and their crews as a serious violation of international law and international humanitarian law, warning that they pose a direct threat to global maritime navigation and the safety of maritime transport workers.
The authority said the attacks also risk disrupting international trade and global supply chains.
It argued that the incidents violate international legal frameworks protecting civilian shipping, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the Geneva Conventions, and established principles of international humanitarian law prohibiting attacks on civilians and civilian objects during armed conflict.
The authority stressed that commercial vessels engaged exclusively in civilian activities and not directly participating in military operations are protected under international law.
It called on all parties to clearly distinguish between military targets and civilian objects, and to take the necessary measures to safeguard maritime routes and ensure the uninterrupted movement of commercial shipping.
The statement also urged all parties involved in the conflict to fully comply with international law, international humanitarian law, and international maritime safety regulations.
In addition, the authority advised shipping companies and commercial vessels employing Syrian sailors to exercise the highest level of caution and avoid sailing through or docking in areas experiencing military operations or direct security threats.
The General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs further called for an independent international investigation into the attacks to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents, identify those responsible, and ensure they are held accountable.