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U.N. Security Council: Recent Events in Syria May Amount to War Crimes | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Members of the U.N. Security Council expressed anger at all the recent attacks targeting civilians and amenities in Syria including medical facilities, in addition to all indiscriminate attacks.

In a press statement released Thursday, members of the council stressed that these measures may be amount to war crimes, and expressed deep concern about the violations of the cessation of hostilities established by Security Council resolution 2268.

Members of the Security Council welcomed recent efforts made by the chairmen of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) who affirmed their commitment to the cessation of hostilities which came into effect on the 27th of February in Syria and using their influence to stop hostilities between parties on the ground. The chairmen also urged parties “to abide by the ceasefire, refrain from disproportionate responses to provocations and exercise restraint”.

Council members also noted that all obligations set out by international humanitarian law must be respected under all circumstances by all parties, and highlighted the need to distinguish between the civilian population and fighters. They also warned against indiscriminate attacks on civilians and amenities.

The members of the Council also called on all parties to immediately implement all terms of the Security Council resolutions concerning Syria, including resolutions 2139, 2165, 2191, 2258 and 2286 which is related to health care in armed conflicts. In addition to this, they emphasised the fact that the Syrian government’s primary responsibility was to protect the people of Syria and added “that parties to armed conflict bear the primary responsibility to take all possible steps to ensure that civilians are protected.”