NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 15 — Kenya has denounced Iran’s drone and missile attacks on Israel terming Tehran’s move a threat to international peace and security.
President William Ruto announced Kenya’s position on the matter on Sunday evening as the United Nations warned the Middle East was “on the brink ” following the attacks launched Saturday and which continued until early Sunday.
“This disturbing development only serves to aggravate an already delicate situation in the Middle East,” President Ruto said in a statement.
“The attack represents a real and present threat to international peace and security, contravenes the Charter of the United Nations and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries,” he added.
Ruto urged Israel to be measured in its response to the attack to avoid a further escalation.
“In responding to this act of aggression, Kenya urges Israel to show utmost restraint taking into account the urgent need for all parties to walk away from the brink beyond which recovery will be enormously difficult,” he stated.
Iran targeted Israel with a barrage of missiles in retaliation to an attack on its consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1 where Israel killed thirteen people in a strike.
The strike killed two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) generals and five officers.
Middle East ‘on the brink’
Israel’s army reported intercepting 99 per cent of Iran’s projectiles using its jets, those of the US and Jordan its allies, and the Iron Dome missile defence system.
Commenting on Iran’s response, which Israel had anticipated following assessments from its intelligence and its ally the US, UN António Guterres urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to sanction Iran.
“The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate. Neither the region nor the world can afford more war,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had responded to the attack saying the military was “ready for any scenario”.
“Citizens of Israel, in recent years, and especially in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran,” he said on Sunday.
Netanyahu said Israel would consider both defensive and offensive responses adding; “The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong.”
The United Kingdom condemned Iran’s attack “in the strongest terms” terming it “reckless”.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned the attack risked “inflaming tensions and destabilising the region”.
“Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard,” Sunak remarked.
The UK said it would urgently work, alongside its allies, to “stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation”.
President Joe Biden who met his national security team on the matter committed to support Israel.
“Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad.”
