Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, yesterday launched a new appeal calling for an "immediate end" to military operations in southwestern Syria, where government forces have launched an offensive against the rebels.
In a statement released by Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary general, it is stated that Guterres is "deeply alarmed by the military offensive in southwestern Syria and its devastating civilian toll". "The secretary general recalls that the South-West area of Syria is part of a de-escalation agreement of tension agreed between Jordan, Russia and the United States"
In his appeal, Guterres "calls on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law, to protect civilians and facilitate secure, unimpeded and lasting humanitarian access".