UN Calls for Urgent Halt to Fighting and Dialogue in Syria's Ongoing Conflict
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Damascus, Dec 1 (NationPress) The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, emphasized the need for an immediate halt to hostilities in the northwestern region of Aleppo and called for constructive dialogue among the involved parties.
The recent surge in violence that began on Wednesday has led to the devastating loss of innocent civilian lives, including women and children, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the interruption of essential services, according to Abdelmoula's statement.
This escalation comes at a moment when countless individuals, many of whom have already faced the trauma of displacement, are compelled to flee yet again, abandoning their homes and livelihoods, he remarked, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
"We urge all parties involved in the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and prioritize the safety of civilians and aid workers," he stated, adding, "The people of Syria should not have to endure additional suffering, and we advocate for dialogue to be afforded a chance."
Before the recent arrival of over half a million returnees and refugees from Lebanon, there were already more than 16.7 million individuals in Syria requiring humanitarian support, he noted.
Due to the current violence, "an even greater number of lives now need urgent saving," he remarked.
The UN official reaffirmed the commitment of the humanitarian community to provide lifesaving assistance to those affected.
On Wednesday, a significant rebel offensive struck the western countryside of Aleppo, marking the first major assault since 2016.
The attack was executed by a coalition of rebel factions, primarily Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is linked to the extremist group al-Qaida, aiming to penetrate government-controlled areas.
On Friday, rebels made advances into parts of Aleppo after being ousted from the city in 2016.
By Saturday, they moved forward in Hama province in central Syria, seizing control of several towns and villages in the northern section of the province after capturing crucial territories in Aleppo and Idlib.
Confronted with overwhelming numbers of militants and a series of assaults, the Syrian army declared a temporary redeployment of its forces.
Syria's state media and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported on Sunday that government forces initiated a counteroffensive in the northern countryside of Hama, reclaiming significant areas from rebel control.
