ISIS assault halts WFP aid drops in Syria's Deir al-Zor

The World Food Program said Tuesday it has suspended aid drops to the besieged Syrian city of Deir al-Zor because of heavy fighting after a fierce assault by ISIS.


ISIS has besieged Deir al-Zor's 100,000 residents since 2015 and already controls large parts of the city, but Saturday advanced further inside remaining government-held territory.

The clashes, which continued for a fourth day Tuesday, have left more than 100 people dead, according to activists.

"We have put on hold the air drop operation in Deir al-Zor for security operational reasons," said WFP spokeswoman Bettina Luescher, speaking to reporters in Geneva.

"There is heavy fighting ongoing in and around the landing zone... It is simply too dangerous to do this now."
   [dailystar.com.lb/AFP]
17/1/17
-