Damascus - New York: Europe and the Arabs
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said he is following with deep concern reports of violence in the suburbs of Damascus and southern Syria, including reports of civilian casualties and the assassination of local government figures.
This was stated by his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, at the daily press briefing, noting that the Secretary-General condemns all acts of violence against civilians, including those that could threaten to inflame sectarian tensions.
In this context, the Secretary-General also condemned Israel's violation of Syria's sovereignty, including the recent airstrike near the presidential palace in Damascus. The Secretary-General stressed the need for these attacks to cease and for Israel to respect Syria's sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and independence.
He unequivocally called on all parties concerned to cease all hostilities, exercise maximum restraint, and avoid further escalation. According to the UN daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received,
Guterres expressed optimism about internal Syrian efforts to de-escalate the violence and maintain security and stability. The Secretary-General was also informed of the statement by Interim President Ahmad al-Shara'a, prioritizing "dialogue and cooperation within the framework of national unity." The Secretary-General called on the interim authorities to investigate all violations transparently and publicly.
Antonio Guterres also emphasized the need to support a credible, orderly, and inclusive political transition in Syria, in line with the fundamental principles of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).
Resolution 2254 set a timetable for the political transition in Syria, including negotiations on the establishment of an inclusive and credible government, outlined the process for drafting a new constitution, and called for free and fair elections.

Independent Commission of Inquiry
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria warned that the recent escalation of violence and deadly clashes, "with sectarian dimensions," near Damascus is deeply worrying for Syria's path towards a sustainable, rights-respecting peace.
More than 100 people have reportedly been killed in the clashes, including a number of civilians, in fighting that has also spread to As-Suwayda Governorate. In a statement on Friday, the commission warned of the growing risk of exacerbating fragmentation and harming civilians due to the continued Israeli airstrikes across Syria. "The spread of discriminatory incitement and hate speech, including on social media, is fueling violence and threatening Syria's fragile social cohesion."
The commission urged all parties involved in the current escalation to immediately cease hostilities and pursue all available means to de-escalate and engage in dialogue. It stressed the need to prioritize the protection of civilians, ensure humanitarian access, and prevent further displacement.
The ICRC explained that Israeli airstrikes and threats of further military intervention, along with "the continued expansion of Israel's occupation of the Syrian Golan, as well as its attempts to divide various Syrian communities, threaten to further destabilize Syria."
It said: "Syria's recent history should serve as a reminder that external interventions have often led to increased violence, displacement, and fragmentation." Responsibility of the Interim Government
While the situation remains volatile, and an agreement has reportedly been reached between prominent leaders in Sweida and the authorities in Damascus, the Commission emphasized that the Interim Government remains responsible for ensuring the protection of all civilians in areas under its control.
The Commission warned that impunity for past grave violations has been a persistent driver of the conflict in Syria, emphasizing that it must not be allowed to continue.
It emphasized that "Syria can only begin to rebuild trust among its divided communities by upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, accountability, and providing reparations to victims and their families."
The Commission stated that the Interim Government must ensure prompt, impartial, transparent, and independent investigations into these violations of international law, and hold perpetrators accountable through credible processes in accordance with Syrian law. The commission noted that the recent clashes—which followed violence in Syria's coastal areas in early March—highlight the fragile security situation in the country and the urgent need for de-escalation.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic was established on 22 August 2011 by the Human Rights Council. Its mandate is to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law committed in Syria since March 2011.