The Secretary-General is deeply troubled by the continued escalation in northwest Syria and the prospect of an offensive deeper into Idlib, which could trigger a new wave of human suffering possibly impacting up to three million civilians. He strongly condemns continued attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including on healthcare and educational facilities. He urges all parties to respect fully international humanitarian law. The Secretary-General reiterates his urgent call for the September 2018 Memorandum of Understanding on Idlib to be upheld. He stresses the importance of advancing the UN-facilitated political process in Geneva mandated by Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).
 
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
New York, 20 August 2019