UN Secretary-General António Guterres, expressing deep concern over the recent escalation of violence in northwestern Syria, has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, according to his spokesperson.
Stéphane Dujarric, the UN spokesperson stated that all parties must make every effort to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to allow for the safe passage of civilians fleeing areas of conflict. He stressed that Syrians, who have endured nearly 14 years of conflict, deserve a political solution that paves the way for a peaceful future, not further bloodshed.
Loss of Aleppo control for the first time since 2011
For the first time since the civil war began in 2011, government forces have completely lost control of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, following a devastating offensive by a coalition of rebel groups dominated by extremist Islamists.
In response, Syrian and Russian aircraft conducted airstrikes on areas controlled by these groups in Idlib province in northwestern Syria and the neighbouring province of Aleppo. These strikes reportedly killed 15 civilians, including children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Humanitarian operations severely impacted
In light of the deteriorating security situation, UN humanitarian operations and those of partner organisations have been “largely suspended” in parts of Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama provinces, Dujarric said. He noted that access to key warehouses storing humanitarian aid has become impossible, severely restricting the delivery of life-saving supplies.
He added that this has caused significant issues in providing essential aid to the population, reiterating the UN’s commitment to staying on the ground and fulfilling its mission to deliver humanitarian assistance.
Worsening health crisis
The UN also voiced serious concerns about the deteriorating health situation in the region, exacerbated by the presence of unburied bodies and a lack of clean drinking water. Syria is already grappling with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with 16.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 7 million internally displaced, Dujarric reminded.
Civilian casualties and displacement
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that at least 44 civilians, including 12 children and 7 women, were killed in northwestern Syria between 26 November and 1 December. Additionally, more than 48,500 people have been displaced during the escalating hostilities, which have caused severe damage to critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and water stations.
Also read: Syrian Kurdish forces evacuate civilians from Aleppo area
Photo source: AFP
Source: ANA-MPA
