The alarm was issued in the context of fighting in Aleppo province escalating strongly, spreading to areas of Idlib and Hama provinces, making the situation more unstable and unpredictable.
in one declare on Sunday, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen expressed deep concern about the drastic change on the front lines, including the advances of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a Security Council– designated terrorist group and increased government airstrikes.
“In a country torn by nearly 14 years of war and conflict, the latest developments pose serious risks to civilians and have serious implications for regional and international peace and security.” he said.
He emphasized the urgent need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and called on all parties to comply with international law.
Mr Pedersen added: “What we see in Syria today is a sign of a collective failure to deliver what has clearly been required for many years – a real political process to get it done. Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).
The humanitarian crisis is deepening
Meanwhile, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula underline catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Aleppo, where violence since November 27 has claimed civilian lives, including women and children, displaced families and disrupted services necessary.
Describing the situation as “tragic”, he called on all parties to the conflict to immediately end hostilities and prioritize the protection of civilians, including the safety of aid workers.
“The Syrian people must endure no more suffering and we call for opportunities for dialoguehe said.
Families collect water at a distribution point in the city of Aleppo, northwestern Syria. (document)
Thousands of people fled violence
According to to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the violence in Aleppo has forced thousands to flee, many seeking refuge in unsafe open areas. The important M-5 Damascus-Aleppo highway is inaccessible between Saraqab City (Idleb) and Aleppo.
A curfew was imposed in Aleppo City on Friday and Saturday, and all public facilities, including universities and schools, were suspended. Hospitals are said to be overwhelmed with the injured, while banks and automated teller machines (ATMs) are running out of cash.
“The recent escalation of conflict comes at a time when countless people, many of whom have suffered the pain of losing their homes, are being displaced. now forced to flee again, leaving their homes and livelihoods behind”, Mr. Abdelmoula said.
He also emphasized the seriousness of protracted crisisnoted that in the wake of the wave of more than half a million returnees and refugees from Lebanon since September, more than 16.7 million people have are in need of humanitarian assistance.
“This latest violence adds even more lives that urgently need to be savedhe said.
