The Secretary-General condemns the attacks targeting Nowruz celebrations in Al-Hasakah City in north-east Syria today. Initial reports suggest that two separate bombings killed and injured up to 100 persons, including women and children. These heinous attacks took place during a holiday that is customarily a time for Kurdish communities to come together to share their hopes for the new year. The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.

The Secretary-General takes note of the reports linking ISIL/Daesh to the attacks. The terrorist organization’s despicable agenda includes efforts to incite sectarian and ethnic division among Syria’s diverse communities.  It must not be allowed to succeed.

The Secretary-General reiterates his condemnation of all acts of violence against civilians in Syria, and his demand that all sides in this brutal conflict stop the use of indiscriminate weapons in populated areas.