+ A
A -
New YORK: German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Thursday said indiscriminate attacks against civilians in the north-western Syrian province of Idlib are “war crimes” and “those responsible must be held accountable.” Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting, Maas said the Syrian government and its ally Russia “have an obligation to protect civilians,” but are instead “bombing civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals and schools.” Nearly 950,000 people have been displaced in north-western Syria since December due to an ongoing Syrian government campaign in the last rebel stronghold in the country, according to the UN.
Maas also urged the Security Council to ensure full humanitarian access to the war-torn country, saying “cross-border aid remains of vital importance.” Last month, the 15-member council extended the delivery of aid to Syria through two border crossings in Turkey, but halted humanitarian access through the country’s north-east due to opposition by Russia and China.
The council asked UN chief Antonio Guterres to report back on possible alternative routes to the shuttered Al Yarubiyah crossing in Iraq.
Guterres suggested in his report that the Tal Abiyad crossing in Turkey could be used to deliver aid to civilians in the north-east. (DPA)
Maas also urged the Security Council to ensure full humanitarian access to the war-torn country, saying “cross-border aid remains of vital importance.” Last month, the 15-member council extended the delivery of aid to Syria through two border crossings in Turkey, but halted humanitarian access through the country’s north-east due to opposition by Russia and China.
The council asked UN chief Antonio Guterres to report back on possible alternative routes to the shuttered Al Yarubiyah crossing in Iraq.
Guterres suggested in his report that the Tal Abiyad crossing in Turkey could be used to deliver aid to civilians in the north-east. (DPA)
