Ban deplores deadly bombing in Syria

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Monday condemned the terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of dozens of civilians in the Syrian coastal cities.

Several bomb blasts rocked Jableh and Tartous on Syria's Mediterranean coast on Monday, leaving nearly 150 people dead and at least 200 others wounded, local media reported.

The UN chief also took note with great concern of the escalating military activity in many areas in and around Damascus, according to a statement of Ban's spokesman.

"The violence, particularly in Daraya, Aleppo and Idlib, and in the northern countryside of Homs, especially Al-Houla, is causing mounting civilian casualties," said the statement.

Ban reiterated his call on all parties to the Syrian conflict to refrain from attacks on the civilian population, saying that "those perpetrating such attacks must be held accountable for their crimes."

He reminded all parties to the cessation of hostilities of their duty to abide by its terms, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2268 (2016).

Moreover, he called on all member states to take immediate, collective and decisive action to bring the tragedy unfolding in Syria to an end.

--IANS

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