Israel announces airstrikes on capital Damascus, UN calls for urgent action for the future

On the morning of March 13, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the Israeli Air Force conducted an airstrike in the Syrian capital Damascus on the same day.

Buildings in Damascus, Syria, damaged after an Israeli airstrike on March 13. (Source: AFP)

Syrian state media said Israel had struck a building in Damascus, killing one person and wounding several, while Mr Katz said the target was a “command centre” of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group.

Reuters news agency quoted Minister Katz as saying: "We will not let Syria become a threat to the state of Israel."

The Israeli military said the command center was used to plan and direct terrorist activities by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement against Israel.

However, according to Reuters , Islamic Jihad spokesman Muhammad al-Haj Musa denied that the targeted building was a command center, saying it was an empty house.

Meanwhile, two Syrian security sources said the target was a Palestinian but did not provide details.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement is an ally of Hamas in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to carry out more attacks on these Palestinian forces, not only in Syria but also in Lebanon.

The attack took place in the context that recently, the United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen spoke out against Israel's military escalation in Syria, calling for an end to violations and avoiding aggravation of the conflict.

On March 13, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for urgent action to end the current violence and ensure a bright future for the Syrian people, as the Middle Eastern country marked the 14th anniversary of the start of the devastating conflict.

Stressing that the conflict has caused much suffering to the Syrian people, with the indiscriminate killing of civilians and the destruction of hospitals, schools and homes, he said the new phase is lighting up a glimmer of hope for reconstruction and reconciliation in the country.

Secretary-General Guterres also called for an independent investigation into civilian deaths in recent clashes.

Sectarian violence erupted on March 6 when armed groups loyal to former President Assad ambushed government security forces in Latakia province, killing at least 16 security personnel.

“This is the time for action,” Mr. António Guterres stressed. “Bold and decisive measures are a prerequisite to ensure that every Syrian, regardless of ethnicity, religion, politics or gender, can live in safety.”

The Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN's commitment to work with the Syrian people and support an inclusive political transition that ensures accountability, promotes "national healing" and lays the foundation for Syria's recovery and reintegration into the international community.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tinh-hinh-syria-israel-tuyen-bo-khong-kich-thu-do-damascus-lhq-keu-goi-khan-cap-hanh-dong-vi-tuong-lai-307525.html