Ban Ki-moon warns against grave consequences of Syria strike
“I must warn that ill-considered military action could cause serious and tragic consequences,” Ban said on the sidelines of the G20 summit, which is underway in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg.
The UN chief underlined the necessity of avoiding “further militarization of the conflict [in Syria] and revitalize the search for a political settlement instead.”
Ban further described the humanitarian crisis in Syria as “unprecedented” in recent history, saying, “As some flee the country, others dig in to fight.”
In an earlier address to the Group of 20 economies, the UN chief said any decision regarding the Syrian issue should be taken within the framework of the UN Charter.
The G20 summit has failed to reach a consensus over the US plans for an attack on Syria.
While US President Barack Obama is using the meeting to push for his strike plan, the European Union, and the BRICS emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) as well as Pope Francis - in a letter - warned against the dangers of a US military strike on Syria.
Washington’s war rhetoric against Syria intensified after Syria militants claimed the army had carried out a deadly chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus on August 21, which killed hundreds of Syrians.
Damascus has repeatedly said the deadly attack was a false-flag operation carried out by the Takfiri groups in a bid to draw in foreign military intervention.
On August 31, the US president delayed an imminent military strike against Syria to seek approval for the move from the Congress, which will debate the issue when lawmakers return from recess on September 9. The Obama administration has, however, said it “has the right” to attack Syria even if the Congress does not approve the measure.