As fighting intensifies in and around the northern city of Aleppo, with a rising count of civilian casualties, the United Nations said it was ‘gravely concerned’ for the safety of civilians in the embattled city. According to reports, the intense fighting around Aleppo cut water and power to up to two million people on both sides of the front-line, worsening the already dire conditions faced by hundreds of thousands in the city.
“The Commission is gravely concerned for the safety of civilians, including a reported 100,000 children, living in eastern Aleppo city, where violence has reached new heights in recent weeks as asymmetric warfare intensifies over control of armed group-held neighborhoods and their principal remaining supply lines.” / “The Commission urges the warring parties to conduct themselves in accordance with international law. The Commission emphasizes, however, that the attacks on Aleppo city, even if in accordance with the laws of war, will only further devastate the civilian population,” said Alessandra Vellucci, UN Spokesperson.