Israeli air strikes targeted Mazzeh Military Airport in southwestern Damascus, Syria, December 11, 2024. /CFP
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "deeply concerned" by the recent and extensive violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and urges parties to de-escalate violence throughout the country, his spokesperson said on Thursday.
"The secretary-general is particularly concerned over the hundreds of Israeli air strikes on several locations in Syria, and stresses the urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts, throughout the country," Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, said at a daily press briefing.
“The secretary-general stresses that the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement remains in force, condemns all actions that would be inconsistent with the agreement, and calls on the parties to the agreement to uphold their obligations under this instrument, including by ending all unauthorized presence in the area of separation and refraining from any action that would undermine the ceasefire and stability in Golan,” Dujarric added.
The Israel Defense Forces announced on Thursday that it has "severely damaged" Syria's air defenses, destroying over 90 percent of identified strategic surface-to-air missile systems.
Over the past several days, hundreds of Israeli fighter jets and aircraft have launched coordinated strikes, delivering significant blows to Syria's most strategic weapons, including fighter jets, helicopters, missiles, UAVs, radars and rockets. The strikes also targeted several key Syrian air bases.
Since the recent hostilities erupted two weeks ago, more than 1.1 million people have fled their homes across Syria amid reports of food and fuel shortages, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday.
The OCHA said the UN and its partners continue humanitarian activities as the security situation allows, with some partners operating in a limited scope in the cities of Damascus, Tartous, Latakia and Raqqa.
Despite the challenges, and as security allowed, the UN and partners have provided food to more than 700,000 people in northwest Syria since the escalation of hostilities.
A man rides his bicycle on a street in Damascus, Syria, December 12, 2024. /CFP
Syria's interim authorities announced on Thursday that all public and private educational institutions will resume classes on Sunday, following a period of disruption due to recent political upheaval in the country.
In a statement released by the prime minister's office, the interim government emphasized that educational institutions are fully prepared to ensure the continuation of the academic process.
The reopening of schools and universities is seen as a critical move in stabilizing daily life, just a few days after one of the oppositions forces known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control of Damascus, resulting in the collapse of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government.
Syria's interim government also vowed on Thursday to institute the "rule of law" as the international community pushed for an inclusive transition.
The new government's spokesman, Obaida Arnaout, told AFP on Thursday that the country's constitution and parliament would be suspended for the duration of a three-month transition.
"A judicial and human rights committee will be established to examine the constitution and then introduce amendments," the spokesman told AFP.
Guterres said on Thursday that, while maintaining public order, it is imperative to support credible, orderly and inclusive transitional arrangements in Syria.
(With input from agencies)