UN demands conflicting parties stop hostilities in northern Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Friday, UN Office of the High Commissioner For Human Rights called on all conflicting parties and their supporters to stop hostilities in northern Syria that have resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in Press Briefing Notes, said, “An escalation in hostilities in northern Syria this month has resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians.”
On October 13, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) gained control over Afrin north of Aleppo Governorate, following fierce clashes with Third Legion, a faction affiliated with Turkish-backed armed Syrian opposition factions, also known as Syrian National Army (SNA).
“We are very concerned for the wider population affected by the fighting, as well as further mass displacement of civilians,” the notes added.
On October 19, the UN said more than 6.300 people fled their homes during the recent clashes in Aleppo northern countryside.
The office went further saying that they fear the latest rise in hostilities involving a number of parties, particularly the HTS and some of the SNA factions, could impact other areas in northern Syria, including Aleppo and Idlib.
On October 7, media activist Muhammad Abdullatif and his pregnant wife were killed in the city of al-Bab, east of Aleppo, erupting clashes between Levant Front faction of the Third Legion and the Hamza Division, affiliated to the SNA factions.
The activist used to organize and report on sit-ins and demonstrations against the actions of the SNA factions in the area, which included the seizure of properties, according to the office.
The activist used to work with Harakat Ahrar al-Sham Islamiyya faction, an exclusive source told North Press.
“Subsequently, over a seven-day period from October 12 to 18, our Office verified the killing of at least seven civilians, including four women and three children, in northern Syria, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner For Human Rights.
At least 11 others were injured, including two women, seven men, and two children.
However, the office said that the actual number of killed and injured people may be higher.
It stressed the need that “parties of conflict” take constant care to spare the civilians in the “conduct of hostilities”.
The office also called on the parties that have effective control of the areas to ensure that the right to life of individuals is respected and protected.
“We urge all States, particularly those that control armed groups…to ensure a de-escalation of military operations and the protection of civilians in northern Syria,” the office noted.