UN condemns fighting by Syria and rebels in Golan Heights

The UN Security Council is strongly condemning the fighting and use of heavy weapons by Syrian government troops and armed groups on the Golan Heights.

The area is supposed to be a demilitarized zone that’s separated Syrian and Israeli forces since 1974.

A resolution co-sponsored by Russia and the United States and adopted unanimously by the council on Tuesday calls on parties to the Syrian conflict to halt military activity there.

The resolution extends the mandate of the nearly 800-strong U.N. peacekeeping force on the Golan Heights until June 30, 2016.

The Security Council echoed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s findings that the ongoing military activities have the potential to escalate Syrian-Israeli tensions.

It reaffirmed its readiness to impose sanctions on individuals or groups supporting extremists.

— AP