Iran urges Syrian regime to act against mass killing of civilians

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations has called on the ruling Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) regime in Syria to take a "decisive action" against the mass killing of civilians in the conflict-ridden country.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria on Tuesday, Amir Saeid Iravani strongly condemned the widespread violence in the Syrian provinces of Latakia and Tartus, which has led to the mass killing of civilians, particularly among the Alawite religious minority.

"The interim authorities must take decisive action to end all violence, protect civilians, and ensure unhindered humanitarian access," he said.

"All communities’ rights must be respected and guaranteed, and any attempts to displace minorities, especially Alawites and Shias, must stop immediately."

He also underscored the need for combating terrorism in Syria, stressing that foreign terrorists must be repatriated, held accountable, and prevented from further destabilizing the region. 

On December 8, 2024, foreign-backed HTS militants announced the fall of the government of President Bashar al-Assad following a rapid two-week onslaught.

Earlier this month, the HTS militants and armed opposition groups engaged in gruesome massacres in the country’s northwestern coastal region.

More than 4,711 civilians were massacred in the 100 days since the ouster of the Assad government, according to the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). At least 1,805 of the murders were the result of field executions and killings based on “sectarian identity and affiliation" with the former administration.

Over the same period, Israel has escalated its deadly airstrikes on Syria and expanded it occupation of the Arab country beyond the Golan Heights.

Seven people killed in Israeli strike on Dara’a in southwestern Syria

At least seven people have been killed and several others injured as Israeli military forces launched an attack against a village in Syria’s southwestern province of Dara’a.

In his remarks, the Iranian envoy voiced deep concerns about Israel's ongoing violations of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying the regime's aerial assaults are in breach of international law and exacerbate regional instability.

He further called for the lifting of all illegal US and EU sanctions on Syria in order to facilitate the country's reconstruction and ensure the safe return of refugees to their homeland.

Iravani noted that the future of Syria must be determined by its own people, free from any external interference or imposition.

Tehran, he said, supports the establishment of an inclusive government through free elections and comprehensive national dialogue in Syria.

"Iran emphasizes the necessity of a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, facilitated by the United Nations and grounded in the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015)," he added.

The envoy also expressed Iran's commitment to supporting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and playing a constructive role towards achieving lasting peace in the country and the broader region.

Additionally, Iravani blasted the US for violating Syria’s sovereignty, imposing sanctions on the country, and supporting Israeli aggression there.

"For years, under the false pretext of counterterrorism, the United States has flagrantly violated Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, enabling terrorist groups and backing Israel’s occupation to advance its geopolitical agenda," he said.

"We must not overlook the fact that the severe humanitarian crisis and economic hardship in Syria stem directly from Washington’s unlawful sanctions and its systematic violations of the fundamental human rights of the Syrian people."

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