UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned bombings in two Syrian coastal cities. The Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Nearly 150 people were killed and at least 200 were injured in the blasts. Ban expressed concern about military escalation in many parts of the country, and called for all parties to refrain from attacking civilians.

"The Secretary-General condems the terrorists attacks today that claims lives of dozens of civilians in the Syrian costal towns of Tartous and Jableh. The Secretary-General also takes notes with great concern for the military escalation in many parts in and around Damascus. The violence particular in Dariaa, Aleppo and Idlib and in the northern countryside of Homs, especially in ... is causing mounting civilian casualties. The Secretary-General reiterates his call on all parties to the Syrian conflicts to refrain from attacks on the civilian population. Those perpetration such attacks must be held accountable for their crimes," UN Secretary-General spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.