Reported Israel airstrikes in Syria “dangerous”: Russia
December 8, 2014, 12:41 pm

Smoke rises after an US airstrike on positions of Islamic State (IS) terror group in Kobani, Syria, on Oct. 15, 2014 [Xinhua]

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in Moscow on Monday this could further destabilize the region.

“Moscow voices deep concern over the dangerous development of events. Their circumstances should be clarified. In any case it is certain that the use of force is unacceptable in interstate relations and deserves disapproval,” Lukashevich was quoted by Russian Tass agency.

“It is important to prevent additional risks of further destabilization of the extremely tense situation in Syria and in the Middle East region as a whole,” Lukashevich said.

Although the Syrian government did not provide details on damage or loss of life, opposition groups said that a number of explosions were heard near the airport and the town of Dimas.

“This afternoon, the Israeli enemy targeted two safe areas in Damascus province, namely the Dimas area and the Damascus International Airport,” a Syrian military statement said on Sunday.

According to Syrian news agency SANA, Syrian officials have written to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and to the Chair of the UN Security Council to impose sanctions against Israel for the airstrikes.

Russia and China have repeatedly blocked Washington-backed UN Security Council resolutions that have sought to hold Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government responsible for the civil war in the country.

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in a 1967 war and annexed the strategic plateau in a move the world has not recognized. Syrian troops are not allowed in an area of separation – monitored by UN peacekeepers – under a 1973 ceasefire formalized in 1974.

TBP