António Guterres condemned the explosion in the city of Afrin.
On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the explosion in the Syrian city of Afrin, which killed 40 people, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. This was stated in a statement published on the organization’s website.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns yesterday’s horrific explosion, which took place in a busy market in Africa in northern Syria. He expresses his deep condolences to the families of the victims”, – the statement reads. Guterres has called for “a full and immediate ceasefire in Syria in order to make a comprehensive effort to combat COVID-19”.
“Those who violate international humanitarian and human rights law must be held accountable”, – the Secretary General’s statement also said.
Kurdish populated Afrin is located 65 km west of Aleppo. It was occupied by Turkish troops in March 2018 as part of Operation Olive Branch against Kurdish units.
The Turkish Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday that a tanker truck exploded in the city. According to him, the victims were 40 people. The agency claimed that the Kurdish Workers’ Party and Kurdish units of the “People’s Self-Defense Forces” were behind the explosion.