United Nations chief Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned “over the hundreds of Israeli air strikes” on Syria, saying there is an “urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout the country”, his spokesman said.

    United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has defended Israel’s extensive attacks on Syria, saying Israeli forces are trying to “neutralise” potential threats.

    Jordan will host a crisis summit on Syria over the weekend to be attended by top diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Turkiye, the US, the European Union and the UN.

    The UN envoy for Syria says images emerging from the notorious Sednaya Prison and other detention facilities show the “unimaginable barbarity” suffered by Syrians for years.

    ICRC sends emergency supply of gunshot treatment kits to Syria

    The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has sent urgent supplies of “war wounded kits” as an emergency response to the situation in Syria.

    The kits contain medical supplies required to treat people injured by bullets, the ICRC said, adding that supplies have been delivered to the al-Mwasat and al-Mujtahid hospitals in Damascus and more hospitals will soon receive them.

    “The already overstretched healthcare system in Syria needs more support,” ICRC said.

    SDF chief says safety, security of people ‘top priority’ after shooting in Raqqa

    Mazloum Abdi, the chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has said the group will hold accountable “any party proven to be involved or to have exploited its power in an unfair manner”, after a shooting incident in the Syrian city of Raqqa.

    “We are closely following the unfortunate events that took place in our beloved city, Raqqa. Your security and stability are our first priority, and any escalation or tension only serves the enemies of peace who seek to exploit these circumstances to achieve their interests,” he said.

    “We assure you that we are committed to addressing all issues through peaceful means, and we will not allow any violations,” Abdi added.

    As we previously reported, activists have accused SDF members of firing at protesters at an opposition flag-raising celebration in the city on Thursday. The SDF has claimed that shots were first fired by people in the crowd, which “provoked our forces”.

    More than 40 people were reportedly injured in the incident. No deaths have been reported.

    The US-backed SDF, which controls large swaths of the country’s northeast, had earlier in the day said it would endorse the Syrian flag used by rebel groups.