Russia Slams IDF Airstrike Against Damascus as Violation of International Law by Israel

The Syrian military said that at least five people died as a result of Israel’s airstrike on the capital Damascus and surrounding areas on February 19.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned the deadly airstrike Israel launched at Damascus and its suburbs on Sunday as a gross violation of international law.

"We strongly condemn the use of brute force by Israel, which is a gross violation of international laws. We urge Israel to stop armed provocations against Syria and refrain from action that may have dangerous implications for the entire region," the Ministry said in a statement.

According to the Ministry, the airstrike at a residential neighborhood came at a time when Russia and other countries were sending rescuers, health workers and humanitarian assistance to Syria in the wake of devastating earthquakes that rocked the Arab country early last week.

The statement comes after Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that at least five people were killed and 15 more injured in the Israeli air attack on a residential district in Damascus and surrounding areas. The attack was reportedly launched from the Golan Heights, an internationally recognized part of Syria which is occupied by Israel.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the death toll stands at 15 people. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the observatory, was cited by a UK media outlet as saying that "The strike on Sunday is the deadliest Israeli attack in the Syrian capital."

The Sunday airstrike was the first such attack by Israel since a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the north-west of Syria, as well as parts of neighboring Turkey, on February 6. More than 6,000 people died in Syria as a result of the quake, while Turkey’s death toll is over 47,000.