In order to prevent Syria from becoming entangled in a regional conflict, the UN special envoy for Syria stated on Sunday that it was “extremely critical” that the fighting in Gaza and Lebanon stop.
Ahead of a meeting with the Syrian foreign minister in Damascus, Geir Otto Pedersen stated, “We need to make sure that we have an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, that we have a ceasefire in Lebanon, and that we avoid Syria being dragged even further into the conflict.”
Israel has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria since the civil conflict broke out in 2011, primarily against the army and organisations supported by Iran.
Since its battle with Iran-backed Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon developed into a full-scale war in late September following nearly a year of cross-border warfare, the Israeli military has increased its strikes on targets in Syria.
Following a United Nations representative’s statement that the attack was perhaps the bloodiest to date, a Syrian war monitor stated on Friday that Israeli strikes on the city of Palmyra earlier in the week killed 92 pro-Iranian forces.
Although Israel rarely discusses specific attacks in Syria, it has stated time and time again that it will not permit Iran to increase its footprint there.
