UN 'deeply concerned' over safety of 400,000 civilians fleeing US-led coalition airstrikes in Raqqa

The safety of over 400,000 people in Raqqa, Syria, where US-backed Syrian opposition forces are bombing ISIS, is of "deep concern" to the UN. The offensive has resulted in "an escalating number of civilian deaths” as well as damage to vital civilian infrastructure, the organization added.


"In past weeks, civilians have been exposed to daily fighting and airstrikes which resulted in an escalating number of civilian deaths and injuries as well as damage to civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, markets and water infrastructure," a Monday statement from a spokesman for UN Secretary General read.

On Sunday, at least eight people, including five children were reportedly killed in airstrikes on Atabaqa city, the UN said, adding that two schools were destroyed in the attack.

Last week, "dozens of people were reportedly killed and injured in airstrikes on an IDP [Internally Displaced People] camp near Albardah village, 20 kilometers west of Raqqa," the statement added.

In other makeshift camps in Raqqa province, which host thousands of people fleeing IS violence, "four out of five people are staying in the open air without appropriate shelter." Several children reportedly died in the camps due to lack of medical care, the organization said.
 RT.COM
24/4/17
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