Russia urges Israel to halt military operations in Syria

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Russia's UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya called on Israel to end its military operations, citing Israeli strikes on Syrian territory as a serious obstacle to stabilization efforts. Speaking at a UN Security Council session on Syria, Nebenzya said repeated Israeli attacks were undermining the work of the Syrian people and authorities to restore stability. Nebenzya pointed to an Israeli Air Force strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib on August 18 and a drone attack on a vehicle in the Beit Jann area as recent examples, noting that civilians were wounded in the operations. He said such actions, together with Israel's continued occupation of Syrian territory, constitute a clear violation of international law and the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic. The Russian representative added that the steps were undermining comprehensive efforts to resolve the country's conflict. Nebenzya renewed his call for Israel to halt its military activities.