Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
DAMASCUS, July 19 (Xinhua) — Syria's interim authorities on Friday called for restraint amid escalating violence in the southern province of As-Suwayda, vowing to send forces to contain the conflict.
In a statement, authorities expressed “deep concern and sorrow” over the ongoing deadly violence, calling the situation the result of “armed groups operating outside the law.”
“The Syrian Arab Republic reaffirms its identity as a state for all its citizens, regardless of sect or ethnicity,” the statement said, stressing that everyone must operate under a single national roof and within a single legal framework.
In response to the unfolding crisis, authorities said they were deploying special forces to contain the violence and resolve the conflict, and were taking political and security measures aimed at restoring stability and preventing a return to chaos.
Calling for “calm, wisdom and responsibility,” the statement called on all sides to cease hostilities, protect civilians and preserve the country’s social fabric.
The statement came amid ongoing violence in As-Suwayda province, where clashes between Druze and Bedouins escalated this week.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday that at least 638 people had been killed since fighting began on July 13, including 73 civilians and more than 280 security forces.
Bedouin attacks on Druze positions near the villages of Shekrawiyah and Wolga resumed on Friday, raising fears that sectarian violence could spiral out of control.
As tensions escalated, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Syrian military bases in As-Suwayda and the capital Damascus under the pretext of protecting the Druze community in Syria. –0–
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