SEVERAL countries at the United Nations, including Saudi Arabia, have expressed concern on Thursday regarding Russian airstrikes on Syria, especially civilian-heavy areas of Homs and Hama where 36 civilians were reportedly killed. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the UN Abdullah Al-Mouallimi said: “Countries that recently arrived in Syria can't claim to fight Daesh (the so-called IS) while supporting the brutal regime of Bashar Al-Assad and his terrorist allies from foreign groups like Hezbollah, among others.” French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told lawmakers in Paris: “Curiously, they didn't hit Islamic State (Daesh). I will let you draw a certain number of conclusions yourselves.” Recent Russian attacks on supposedly Daesh-held areas in Homs and Hama reportedly resulted in the death of 36 civilians; including women and children, according to the Syrian National Council opposition group. Israeli aggression At the UN, the Kingdom stressed that Israel's continuing occupation of the Palestinian land, its repeated aggressions on Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the violence perpetrated by terrorist settlers, are among the most important causes of many armed conflicts in the region. Situation in Yemen Al-Mouallimi reiterated that with clear support from Iran, the Houthi rebels were able to challenge the legitimate government in Yemen. The Houthis, he said, chose to ignore all agreements and accords on maintaining peace in the country. This he said, led the Kingdom and its Arab allies to respond to the call of the people of Yemen represented by its legitimate President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi. Mina stampede Ambassador Al-Mouallimi said that Iran's politicization of the tragic stampede in Mina during this year's Haj shows that Tehran does not respect the sanctity of the religious rites and the lives of the victims. He said that the Kingdom has always been committed to take care of and provide comfort to the pilgrims ensuring their safety and security. The Kingdom, he said, has foiled many Iranian attempts to sabotage the pilgrimage. The government, he said, is conducting appropriate investigations and will hold accountable anyone found to be negligent. He also warned that the Kingdom will not allow any country to fish in troubled waters and exploit the tragedy to further its own interests. — With input from Agencies
