Civilians at grave risk as Syrian government forces overrun Aleppo

SBS World News Radio: Syrian government forces claim victory is in sight as they continue advancing on remaining rebel troops in parts of eastern Aleppo.

Civilians at grave risk as Syrian government forces overrun Aleppo

Civilians at grave risk as Syrian government forces overrun Aleppo

Three weeks into their offensive, pro-Government forces have recaptured three-quarters of the rebel stronghold in eastern Aleppo.

Syrian Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar is already claiming victory as rebels continue to retreat.

"The victory in Aleppo is strategic and will change the way a political settlement is achieved."

But recapturing the city has come at a cost.

President of Aleppo City Council, Brita Haji Hasan, says 800 residents in government-controlled and rebel-held Aleppo have been killed in the past month.

Mr Hasan says those still trapped are facing certain death if fighting continues.

"For now there are 150,000 who are condemned to death we demand a safe corridor for the civilians and to stop the shelling and to stop the bloodshed."

He says all types of weapons are being used in the battle, including chlorine gas.

"Ten days ago, marked the last incident when chlorine gas was used, one family of six - four children and their parent were killed in the Al Sahur neighbourhood of Aleppo."

The International Red Cross says it has managed to evacuate about 150 injured and disabled civilians from Aleppo's Old City.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says among those evacuated from Dar Al-Safaa hospital in the Old City, almost 120 patients have been taken to three hospitals in the Government-controlled west of Aleppo.

But Syrian Medical Relief Group's Tawfik Chamaa says the remaining residents are being deprived of medical care.

"Right now, there remain 28 doctors for 250,000 residents -- 28 doctors who no longer have the means to do their work properly. There are no more hospitals. They do their work on the pavement or in a basement. Humanity should be ashamed. We are preparing a dark future for our children when those limits fail to be respected."

UNICEF Middle East regional director Geert Cappelaere says Aleppo has become impossible for Syrian children.

"Syria has become a true hell on earth for children. Syria is a country where children are being ripped of their childhood. They are ripped of what consists childhood, going to school, playing, having loving caring parents."

He is calling urgently for a ceasefire.

"I want everyone with authority, everyone with a genuine interest in Syria, with a genuine heart for the Syrian children to act now, to engage with those people who are responsible for the current fighting to advocate with them for that fighting to stop in the interest of children. In the interest of the future of Syria."

 

 


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Published 9 December 2016 10:00am
Updated 9 December 2016 7:09pm
By Michelle Rimmer

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