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Bomb explodes near UN observer convoy in Syria

9 May 2012 – A bomb exploded in the vicinity of a convoy of UN observers in Syria today, injuring several Syrian soldiers accompanying the delegation, the UN mission in the Middle Eastern country said.

The observers, part of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), were on their way from Damascus for a visit to the southern city of Dar’a, under Syrian army escort. They had crossed a military checkpoint on the road approaching the town when the bomb exploded, shortly before midday.

“This was a graphic example of what the Syrian people are suffering on a daily basis and underlines the imperative for all forms of violence to stop,” the head of UNSMIS and Chief Military Observer, Major-General Robert Mood, said in a news release, issued after the explosion.

Major-General Mood had been leading the UN observer delegation, which had been followed by members of national and international media.

While none of the observers were hurt, several Syrian soldiers from the convoy’s rear escort vehicle were injured and taken for medical treatment. Major-General Mood expressed concern for the soldiers injured in the explosion, noting that members of UNSMIS were in the Dar’a hospital to check on their condition.

“We remain focused on the tasks mandated to our Mission under UN Security Council resolution 2043,” he added.

Authorized by the Security Council last month, UNSMIS is tasked with monitoring the cessation of violence in Syria and supporting the full implementation of a six-point plan put forward by the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian Crisis, Kofi Annan.

In the news release, UNSMIS said that, so far, it has 113 personnel from 38 countries, including 70 Military Observers and 43 civilian staff members, on the ground. The Mission currently operates from five bases in different parts of Syria, besides Damascus, with eight Military Observers and three Civilian staff members deployed in Homs, and four Military Observers each in Hama, Idleb, Dar’a and Aleppo.

With a total mandated strength of 300 Military Observers and additional civilian staff members as required, UNSMIS said it continues to receive new members on a daily basis as it establishes and expands its presence across the country.

“In the next two days, we will cross the 100 mark for Military Observers in the Mission,” Major-General Mood said.

The crisis in Syria, which began in March 2011 as a protest movement similar to those across the Middle East and North Africa, has claimed over 9,000 lives, mostly civilians, and displaced tens of thousands.

Mr. Annan’s six-point plan calls for an end to violence, access for humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those in need, the release of detainees, the start of inclusive political dialogue that takes into account the aspirations of the Syrian people, and unrestricted access to the country for the international media.

Addressing the media in Geneva yesterday, following a briefing via video-link with the Security Council, Mr. Annan noted that, amid concerns from the international community over the prospects of a “full civil war” in Syria, the ongoing levels of violence and human rights abuses in the Middle Eastern country are unacceptable and the UN observer mission is possibly the only remaining chance to stabilize it.

The Joint Special Envoy added that while there had been some decrease in the military activities, there are still serious violations in the cessation of violence that was agreed.