SYRIA: U.N. monitor says violence increasing across Syria

Record ID: 281269

  • Title: SYRIA: U.N. monitor says violence increasing across Syria
  • Date: 13th August 2012
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (AUGUST 13, 2012) (REUTERS): VARIOUS OF BABACAR GAYE, UNSMIS CHIEF ARRIVING GAYE TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) BABACAR GAYE, UNSMIS CHIEF, SAYING: "I have reoriented the activities of our observers to monitor the level of violence and the use of heavy weapons. It is clear that violence is increasing in many parts of Syria. The indiscriminate use of heavy w
  • Embargoed: 28th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4DTGWRMUOXJQIG6EDPV6CS9J5
  • Story Text: UN observers in Syria said on Monday (August 13) the toll of civilians was inflicted by the government's use of heavy weapons as well as the targeted attacks by the opposition.
    "It is clear that violence is increasing in many parts of Syria;" said the UNSMIS chief Babacar Gaye. "The indiscriminate use of heavy weapons by the government and targeted attacks by the opposition in urban centres are inflicting the heavy toll on innocent civilians", Gaye said at ta news conference after he met with the Syrian government group of work.
    Gaye said a team of the observers has met with the opposition outside the country.
    He also urged both parties to respect international humanitarian laws. "None of the parties has prioritized the needs of civilians," he said.
    The mandate for the U.N. monitors, whose original mission was to observe an April ceasefire that never took hold, expires on Aug. 19.
    Their numbers have already been cut to a third because violence has made it impossible for them to move around.
    "To monitor the violence we need less people to do this monitoring that is why we have reduced our strengths in this country but till the last minute, there are remaining one hundred observers along with our civilians colleagues. We will operate till the last minute", Gaye said.
    Also on Monday, it was announced that UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos will visits Syria on Tuesday (August 14) to discuss ways of increasing emergency aid to civilians caught up in the conflict there.
    Activists say more than 18,000 people, including soldiers, rebels and civilians, have been killed since the start of the Syrian uprising against Assad in March last year.
    Assad's forces are battling to regain control of the biggest city, Aleppo, from rebel fighters who went on the offensive last month, seizing districts of the capital and the northern commercial hub, as well as several border crossings.
    Free Syrian Army rebels also control towns and villages in a wide swathe of territory near the northern border with Turkey.
    Assad's forces have hit back, regaining much of Damascus and bombarding opposition strongholds in and around the capital. Residents reported overnight shelling from the Qassioun mountains overlooking north Damascus into Jobar neighbourhood.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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