NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the warring parties in Syria’s northwest, where the Syrian government and its ally Russia have stepped up bombardments, to protect civilians and respect a ceasefire.
Guterres “urges all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilians,” a statement read.
“He calls for an urgent de-escalation of the situation as the holy month of Ramadan begins and urges the parties to recommit fully to the ceasefire arrangements of the memorandum signed on 17 September 2018.”
Guterres also pressed the Astana process guarantors — Iran, Russia and Turkey — to ensure that these steps are taken.
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