May 04, 2026 02:53 pm (IST)
Follow us:
Syria: Ban condemns spiralling violence, urges end to conflict
New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): Amid surging violence across Syria, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the killing of an elderly priest in Homs and the ongoing brutality against the civilian population, and urged all Syrians and their outside supporters to put a stop to this conflict, "now".
“In the face of troubling new reports of atrocities in the brutal conflict driving Syria to its destruction, the Secretary-General demands that warring parties and their supporters ensure that civilians are protected, regardless of their religion, community or ethnic affiliation,” said a statement issued on Monday evening by Ban’s spokesperson in New York.
The statement said that both the Syrian Government and armed groups have the legal obligation and moral responsibility to protect civilians and “must do everything to avoid and prevent violence against civilians, including indiscriminate shelling and air attacks on civilian areas.”
Citing the killing on Monday of an elderly priest, Father Frans van der Lugt, in Homs as only the latest tragedy highlighting the urgent need to protect civilians, the UN chief condemned “this inhumane act of violence against a man who heroically stood by the people of Syria amid sieges and growing difficulties.”
The statement went on to express the Secretary-General’s horror at the gruesome images of purported executions in the Syrian town of Kassab. “While the United Nations is unable to confirm the validity of these reported atrocities, gross human rights violations undeniably continue and residents of entire villages such as Kassab have been forced to flee,” the statement said.
“Government forces continue to indiscriminately destroy whole neighbourhoods, burying entire families beneath the rubble of their homes,” it continued, adding that the Secretary-General is also extremely concerned that groups listed as terrorist organizations by the UN Security Council continue to brutalize the civilian population.
“There is a belief by too many in Syria and beyond that this conflict can be won militarily. More violence will only bring more suffering and instability to Syria and sow chaos in the region,” says the statement, urging all Syrians and their outside supporters to immediately halt the fighting.
“For the sake of families and communities across Syria, the Secretary-General appeals to all sides to permit immediately the unfettered access of humanitarian assistance and workers,” it says, adding that under Ban’s leadership, the UN is prepared to contribute to a “new day” in Syria by fostering a political settlement, providing humanitarian assistance, and supporting reconstruction.
(A young boy sits in front of a destroyed building in Homs, Syria. Photo: WFP/Abeer Etefa)
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
What happened in Morocco? Two US troops go missing amid military exercises, rescue op underway
Mon, May 04 2026
Madness in Seoul: Pokémon event cancelled in South Korea after 40,000 people assemble in forest
Sun, May 03 2026
Israel sent secret laser shield to UAE during Iran attacks: Report
Fri, May 01 2026
Abuse of women journalists made ‘easier and more damaging’ by AI: Study unveils on World Press Freedom Day
Fri, May 01 2026
Indian-born population tops Australia’s foreign-born list, overtaking England after a century
Fri, May 01 2026
UAE leaves OPEC, OPEC+ amid global energy crisis
Tue, Apr 28 2026
'One equals four': Iran issues ‘quadruple strike’ warning to Gulf nations after Trump's threats
Mon, Apr 27 2026