MOSCOW, December 11. /TASS/. The Israeli Air Force’s operations in Syria aggravate tensions and hinder efforts to stabilize the situation, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated during a briefing.

"The activities of the Israeli Armed Forces, which have occupied the buffer zone in the Golan Heights and several adjacent areas, blatantly violate the terms of the 1974 Syrian-Israeli agreement on the separation of forces. Furthermore, the airstrikes conducted by the Israeli Air Force, targeting both military and civilian sites within Syrian territory, are a source of significant concern for the international community," she said.

"Such military actions clearly fail to support the goal of stabilization in Syria. On the contrary, they exacerbate the already dire situation facing the country," the diplomat added.

Zakharova stressed that under these challenging political conditions facing the Syrian people, "all members of the international community, particularly neighboring states, must exercise restraint, demonstrate maximum responsibility, and avoid actions that could further deteriorate the situation."

"If nations claim to be concerned about the interests, security, and rights of the Syrian people as citizens of an independent state, they must back their words with meaningful actions. It is crucial to adhere firmly to international law, uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, and honor existing commitments to this country and its people. Once again, this serves as a test for those who profess to value human rights and label themselves as defenders of the rule of law," the spokeswoman emphasized.

In late November, opposition militias launched a large-scale offensive on Syrian Army positions. By December 8, they had entered Damascus, prompting government forces to retreat. President Bashar Assad abandoned his office and departed the country. A Kremlin source informed TASS on Monday that Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow, where Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds.