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UN Chief Calls for 'Immediate De-escalation' in NE Syria

Margaret Besheer

   UNITED NATIONS - U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called Monday
   for the "immediate de-escalation" of the situation in northeastern
   Syria, as the humanitarian situation rapidly worsens with Turkey's
   military pushing farther into the area.

   "The secretary-general is gravely concerned over the military
   developments in northeast Syria, which have already reportedly resulted
   in many civilian casualties and the displacement of at least 160,000
   civilians," spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "The
   secretary-general calls for the immediate de-escalation and urges all
   parties to resolve their concerns through peaceful means."

   Turkey began a military incursion into northeastern Syria on Wednesday,
   targeting the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Ankara
   considers as terrorists aligned with separatists inside Turkey. Western
   countries view the SDF as a key ally in the fight against the
   self-described Islamic State terror group.

   While Guterres did not call for the offensive to end, he urged "maximum
   restraint" and said any military operation must fully respect
   international law, including the U.N. Charter and international
   humanitarian law, as well as the protection of civilians.

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