China: Syrian Territorial Sovereignty Must Be Respected

JAKARTA - The Chinese government has requested that Syria's territorial sovereignty be respected after Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria.

"Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a news conference in Beijing, Thursday, July 17.

Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes on buildings of the Syrian Ministry of Defense and areas near the Presidential Palace in Damascus, Syria on Tuesday (15/7).

"Especially, considering the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, no action should have caused an escalation," added Lin Jian.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu ordered to attack Syrian military troops and vehicles in Suwayda.

Israel claims the action was carried out to protect the Druze community in Syria, citing close ties between the Druze community in Syria and those in Israel, as well as historical relations between them.

Earlier on Sunday (13/7) clashes erupted between armed Druze militias and Bedouin groups in Suwayda after both sides reportedly seized vehicles from each other, local sources said.

As a result of the clashes, more than 30 people died and nearly 100 others were injured as a result of the violence.

But on Tuesday morning, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a full ceasefire in Suwayda after negotiating with local community leaders.

The Syrian military began pulling combat vehicles from Suwayda and preparing to hand over security responsibilities to internal security forces.