Damascus: Hundreds of civilians, mostly women and children, have been killed and injured in Syria in the past two weeks, with hospitals being overwhelmed, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.
“Civilians have paid a heavy price following two weeks of hostilities, with hundreds killed and injured, including a significant proportion of women and children. In north-west Syria alone, at least 75 civilians, including 28 children and 11 women, have been killed by hostilities from 26 November to 8 December, according to data verified by local health authorities. At least 282 others have been injured, including 106 children and 56 women,” the organization said in a statement on Tuesday.
Hospitals across Syria are overwhelmed by the high number of injured people, with children particularly suffering from psychological trauma, the statement added.
In addition, the Syrian cities of Damascus, Hama and Deir ez-Zor are experiencing food shortages, the organization said, adding that bread prices increased by 900% in two weeks in Aleppo and Idlib.
“Despite the challenges and volatile environment, the UN and partners are continuing activities as the security situation permits,” the statement read.
The statement noted that restrictions on movement, including curfews, are hampering the flow of goods and services.
“Airstrikes and other hostilities continue to be reported in Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dar’a, and As-Sweida. Some looting of aid warehouses, including those of UN agencies and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), has been reported as of 9 December but remains to be confirmed,” OCHA said.
Syrian armed groups captured the capital of Damascus on Sunday. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said that he and 18 other ministers had decided to remain in Damascus. Al-Jalali also said he was in contact with the leaders of militant groups that had entered the city.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that President Bashar Assad had stepped down and left Syria after negotiations with some participants of the Syrian conflict.
UNI