Ban condemns attacks on Nowruz celebrations

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attacks targeting Nowruz celebrations in Al-Hasakah City in north-east Syria.
These "heinous attacks" took place during a holiday that is customarily a time for Kurdish communities to come together to share their hopes for the new year, Ban said in a statement released by his press office, late on Friday. He extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Furthermore, the UN Chief took note of the reports linking ISIL to the attacks. "The terrorist organization's despicable agenda includes efforts to incite sectarian and ethnic division among Syria's diverse communities," the statement added. "It must not be allowed to succeed," Ban expressed.
The Secretary General reiterated his condemnation of all acts of violence against civilians in Syria, and his demand that all sides in this brutal conflict stop the use of indiscriminate weapons in populated areas.
Two separate bombings killed and injured up to 100 persons, including women and children.