Conflict in Syria getting worse - UN

AMMAN, Feb 12 (KUNA) -- Contrary to expectations that the defeat of the so-called Islamic State group and the creation of de-escalation zones would ease the fighting and pave the way for peaceful solution to the seven-year conflict in Syria, the situation is getting worse.
In a press statement issued Monday, the UN warned that the conflict in Syria has reached a new peak.
"Since our statement of 6 February, when the UN representatives in Syria called for a one-month cessation of hostilities, the situation has worsened," Ali Al-Za'tari, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, said in statement.
He cautioned that the escalation in violence is taking its cruelest toll on civilians, everywhere in Syria.
"We are witnessing some of the worst fighting of the entire conflict, with reports of hundreds of civilian deaths and injuries, massive displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities," he noted.
The UN official lamented that the call to all warring parties for an immediate cessation of hostilities to enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians has gone unanswered.
"I am again appealing to all parties, and those with influence over them, to listen to us and to the affected population: end this intolerable human suffering.
"History will record failure to stop the fighting and will lay the blame on those responsible. We need to reach people in need with relief now not later," he stressed.
He underscored that all the parties involved have a responsibility, under international humanitarian and human rights law, to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to allow for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to all in need.
"All parties must act now," he concluded.
On Saturday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate and unconditional de-escalation of violence in Syria as civilians in the war-torn country suffer through one of the most violent periods in nearly seven years of conflict.
The scale and ferocity of airstrikes and shelling have increased dramatically resulting in multiple reports of hundreds of civilian casualties.
According to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Office, at least 277 civilians were killed last week including 230 in air strikes by Syrian government and allied forces, the statement said. Another 812 civilians were injured, it said. (end) tk.ibi