In view of the recent considerable escalation in the region, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs voiced “grave concern” in a statement issued today, Saturday, regarding the continuous escalation of “hostile” acts in northern Syria and the casualties.
According to the office, the joint statement was released by Imran Riza, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Muhannad Hadi, the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syrian crisis, and Adele Khader, the UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
The statement asked all parties to take all necessary precautions to protect civilians and to fulfill their commitments to do so, adding that four persons were murdered in al-Hasakah last Thursday and 13 civilians, including nine children, were killed in al-Bab city on Friday.
He also stated that the UN is dedicated to collaborating with all stakeholders to create a “safe and prosperous” Syria, including a long-term political settlement for all Syrians.
The statement emphasized the need of protecting civilians in order to ensure a future “in which Syrians may rebuild their lives and live without fear of violence.”
It is worth noting that Turkey launched a fresh military campaign in northern Syria a month ago against US-supported Kurdish rebels it accuses of cooperating with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), but it appears to have backed down.
Despite this, the border with Turkey has been tense for days, with skirmishes between the Syrian Democratic Soldiers and Turkish forces, as well as Syrian militias loyal to them. The increase included regime personnel stationed at border crossings.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 21 people, including children, were murdered in northern Syria on Friday as a result of regime artillery fire and a Turkish attack.
According to the observatory, in the city of al-Bab, which is controlled by pro-Ankara militias in Aleppo’s northeastern countryside, “the government forces’ artillery fire targeted a popular market,” killing 17 people, including six children, and injuring 35 others.
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