DAMASCUS, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Syria's foreign affairs authorities on Wednesday condemned an Israeli drone strike that hit a Syrian army unit near the town of al-Kiswah, south of Damascus, the previous day, killing six soldiers.
In a statement, the foreign affairs authorities called the attack a "grave violation" of international law and the UN Charter, describing it as part of Israel's "repeated hostile policies" aimed at destabilising the region.
"The aggression represents a blatant breach of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement said, adding that such strikes jeopardize regional peace and reflect "flagrant disregard" for international legal norms.
Damascus affirmed its right to defend its territory in line with international law and urged the UN Security Council to act to halt Israeli attacks. "Syria calls for holding Israel accountable and obliging it to end its ongoing aggressions," it said.
Israel has not commented on the strike.
The attack was one of several recent Israeli operations reported in southern Syria, where tensions have been rising. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes across Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government late last year.
Damascus also accused Israel of expanding its control of the occupied Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized buffer zone, in violation of a 1974 agreement. ■
