Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
New York, SANA – The UN Security Council condemned in the strongest of terms the terrorist attacks that took place in the cities of Jableh and Tartous and that claimed scores of lives and injured scores more.
A press statement from the Security Council prepared by the Russian delegation said that the Council members condemn in the strongest of terms the terrorist attacks that took place on May 23rd in the cities of Jableh and Tartous in Syria, attacks which ISIS claimed responsibility for.
The Security Council offered condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Syria, wishing the injured a swift recovery.
The Council members voiced concern over the continuation of terrorists from ISIS and groups loyal to ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra, and other individuals, groups, and entities affiliated with ISIS or Al Qaeda to operate in Syria, with the members condemning the negative impact of those terrorists’ actions, presence, and violent, extremist ideology on the stability of Syria, neighboring countries, and the region as a whole, as well as the condemning the devastating humanitarian effect on civilians.
They stressed the need for all member states to abide by their obligations as per resolution no. 2178 for 2014, affirming that terrorism in all its forms is one of the biggest threats to international peace and security, adding that terrorism cannot and must not be linked to any specific religion, nationality, or civilization.
The statement affirmed the need for bringing those who perpetrate, organize, fund, and sponsor such heinous terrorist acts to justice, and that all terrorist acts are criminal and unjustifiable acts regardless of motive, place, time, and perpetrators.
The members asserted the need for all states to combat terrorism by all means in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, in addition for the need to take steps to prevent and suppress and funding of terrorism and terrorist organization.
The members also affirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria.
OHCHR condemns terrorist attacks in Tartous and Jableh cities
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) condemned the terrorist attacks which took place last Monday in Jableh and Tartous cities that left scores of civilians dead and many others injured.
In a statement published by the United Nations News Center, OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville called for prosecuting the perpetrators of such acts before the International Criminal Court “as they may constitute war crimes”.
“Most of those killed are believed to be civilians and the timing and choice of locations suggest the attacks were deliberately intended to inflict the maximum number of casualties,” he said.
Colville pointed out that “initial reports indicate that these attacks have violated international humanitarian law which prohibits directing attacks against the civilians as well as against hospitals and therefore they may also constitute war crimes.”
On May 23rd, a series of synchronized terrorist bombings targeted a bus station, the Electricity Directorate, and the National Hospital in Jableh city, as well as a bus station and a residential neighborhood in Tartous city, killing and injuring scores of civilians.
Manar al-Frieh/Manal/Hazem Sabbagh
