UN envoy urges ceasefires to prevent regional escalation in Middle East
Creator: UN Photo / Violaine Martin Copyright: V.MARTIN
Geir Pedersen, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, has stressed the urgent need for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon to prevent Syria from being further entangled in a broader regional conflict.
Speaking from Damascus on Sunday ahead of discussions with Syria’s foreign minister, Pedersen underscored the fragile balance in the region, saying, “It is extremely critical that we de-escalate so that Syria is not further dragged into this.”
Pedersen reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon, highlighting the need to halt escalating tensions and prevent Syria from becoming a flashpoint.
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Israel has long conducted military strikes in Syria, predominantly targeting Iranian-backed groups and the Syrian army. However, these operations have intensified since Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon escalated into full-scale war in late September.
The situation in Syria has grown increasingly dire, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting that an Israeli airstrike on Palmyra earlier in the week killed 105 people, most of them pro-Iranian fighters. This marks the deadliest attack on Iranian-backed forces in Syria to date.
Israel, though silent on specific strikes, has consistently maintained that it will not tolerate an expanded Iranian presence in Syria, citing national security concerns.
The situation in Syria, due to the raging Israeli attacks, stressed the urgent need for diplomacy to contain the crisis and prevent further destabilization in the region.
