Secretary-General Urges ‘Utmost Restraint’, Upholding of Disengagement

Agreement in Golan Heights Clashes

The following statement was issued on 11 November by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is concerned by reports of clashes between the armed opposition and Syrian security forces in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)-supervised area of separation, in which Syrian small arms fire and one artillery round reportedly landed in the Israeli-occupied Golan today and prompted a response by Israel.  No injuries to civilians or United Nations personnel in either instance were reported.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the potential for escalation.  He calls for the utmost restraint and urges Syria and Israel to uphold the Disengagement Agreement, respect their mutual obligations and halt firing of any kind across the ceasefire line.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record