UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate end to the dangerous escalatory spiral of attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure amid the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, said his spokesperson on Tuesday.
The UN Secretary-General is "alarmed" by the rising number of civilian casualties as a result of increasing attacks in Ukraine and is "equally concerned" about the attacks in Russia, said spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
The UN chief condemned all attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure wherever they occur, and urged an immediate end to this dangerous escalatory spiral, said Dujarric.
The Secretary-General called for a re-energized focus on diplomacy to urgently deescalate tensions and pave the way for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire, as a first step towards a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with international law, including the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions, the spokesperson said.
The United Nations stands ready to support all meaningful efforts to that end, the spokesperson concluded.
UN chief urges end to escalating attacks targeting civilians amid Ukraine crisis
The U.S.-led coalition concluded its military mission in Iraq on Wednesday, marking the end of more than two decades of Western military presence that began with the 2003 invasion.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Wednesday announced the conclusion of the U.S.-led international coalition's mission to combat the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq.
On the same day, the Pentagon said the United States and its allies have officially ended Operation Inherent Resolve against the IS in Iraq.
To mark the occasion, the Iraqi government declared a four-day official holiday from September 30 to October 3, designated as "Sovereignty Day" celebrations.
"For Iraq, the withdrawal of U.S. forces means that national sovereignty is further fully implemented. Iraq will be able to decide its own stance independently. This is something to be happy about and an important moment of national significance," said Majid Al-Hasnawi, a resident.
Iraqi analysts echoed hopes that regaining full autonomy will accelerate domestic recovery.
"I think at this current time, the withdrawal of U.S. forces and international coalition troops will help promote the reconstruction process. Because the Iraqi people will rely on their own country's talents and institutions, and the people of this country will drive the national reconstruction themselves," said Faisal Radi, an economist.
The drawdown follows years of shifting security dynamics. The U.S. launched the Iraq War in 2003 and carried out a broad withdrawal in late 2011, leaving only a residual force.
In 2014, the Islamic State group seized vast territories across Iraq's west and north. The U.S.-led coalition to combat the extremist group was subsequently formed and deployed forces to Iraq.
In 2024, the U.S. and Iraq agreed on a two-phase transition to conclude the coalition's mission.
"Ending the foreign military presence is an important political decision made and being implemented by Iraq. The problem is that a foreign military presence may provide room for intervention in Iraq's domestic political affairs, and this kind of interference in Iraq's internal affairs is something the Iraqi side cannot accept," said Salah Boushi, director of the Iraq Center for Strategic Affairs.
U.S.-led coalition concludes military mission in Iraq
