The Syrian Coalition blamed the Assad regime and its allies for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in southern Damascus. It called on the international community to exert real pressure to stop the mass forced displacement and demographic change against Syrian civilians. It accused Iran of planning these operations which are being carried out by the Assad regime with Russian backing.
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said that hostilities between Assad regime forces and ISIS continued in ISIS-held parts of Yarmouk camp near Damascus. Bombardment by the Assad regime of the Damascus suburb has already resulted in the death and injury of dozens civilians as well as the displacement of many more and the destruction of infrastructure.
Dujarric on Tuesday told news conference that more than 8,000 people were reported to have been evacuated from the Yarmouk camp in southern Damascus since May 4th. Meanwhile, clashes continued to rage between Assad regime forces and the ISIS extremist group in the camp and adjacent areas.
“The United Nations and its partners stand ready to deliver inter-agency humanitarian assistance to people in need in Yalda, Babilla and Beit Sahem, as well as to Yarmouk and neighboring areas, as soon as conditions allow and access is granted,” Dujarric added.
The United Nations renewed calls to ensure protection of civilians and infrastructure as well as to allow safe humanitarian access for all those in need in line with obligations under humanitarian and international law.
The Syrian Coalition stressed the need to spare civilians the military operations and to exercise maximum effort to protect them as well as prevent the Assad regime and the Iranian-backed militias from using them as human shields. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
