The UN asks foreign forces to “exercise restraint” in Syria, in the face of tensions between Iran and the US

March 25 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The deputy spokesman for the United Nations Secretary General, Farhan Haq, has insisted on the need to reduce tension in Syria and has called on foreign agents in its territory to “exercise restraint” in response to the clashes between the US military and ” groups affiliated” to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) in northeastern Syria.

“It is important that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria be respected,” Haq responded to a journalist who questioned the presence of US soldiers in the country. “At the same time, we are aware of the complexity of the situation for foreign forces, but we ask them to exercise restraint.”

“We are concerned about the continuing tensions, and we are trying to see what we can do to de-escalate the different forces in Syria,” he added.

On Thursday afternoon, a suspected Iranian drone fired on a US facility, killing a contractor and wounding five service members. After that, Washington announced, early this Friday, a precision air strike in northeast Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported that airstrikes by US forces have killed eight suspected pro-Iranian fighters, while the death toll may rise as several are injured, some in critical condition.

On Friday afternoon, after Washington’s announcement, the situation has escalated and there have been at least two more attacks by pro-Iranian militias in retaliation for the US bombings announced in the morning.

For his part, US President Joe Biden said this Friday that “the United States is not seeking a conflict with Iran”, but has assured that his country “is prepared to act forcefully to protect its people”.