Spokesman for the Syrian Coalition Salem al-Meslet said that the siege imposed by ISIS on parts of Deir Ezzor city took a serious turn after Assad’s forces began randomly shelling the neighborhoods controlled by ISIS, prompting counter-shelling by ISIS on the regime-held districts, home to around 400,000 civilians.
“Civilians in Deir Ezzor are now stuck between the hammer of the regime and the anvil of ISIS, two sides that show utter disregard for all international and humanitarian laws,” Meslet said.
He noted that the silence and inaction of the international community over the ongoing tragedy lived by civilians in Syria has become part of the crime initiated by the Assad regime and taken over by the terrorist organizations.
The UN Security Council has to enforce Resolution No. 2139 to immediately lift the siege on populated areas and give unhindered access to the humanitarian agencies and its partners to deliver humanitarian aid to the trapped civilians.
“ISIS has laid siege on the districts of Al-Joura and Al-Qusour in the city of Deir Ezzor for the second month, causing a huge amount of suffering for over 400,000 civilians trapped inside. They prevent entry and exit of civilians, block the entry of food and medical supplies, and cut off communications, power and water. The Assad regime is resupplying its troops stationed inside the city through a nearby air base while failing to do the same for civilians,” Maktabi added. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
