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UN "deeply concerned" over fate of 8,000 Syrians trapped by fighting in northern Aleppo

Xinhua, June 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United Nations is "deeply concerned" over the fate of an estimated 8,000 Syrians trapped by fighting following advances by the Islamic State (IS), a UN spokesman said here Tuesday.

Those people were trapped around the towns of Mare'a and Sheikh Issa in northern Aleppo Governorate following advances in the last three days by Da'esh, also known as the Islamic State (IS), into areas controlled by non-state armed groups, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters at a daily news briefing.

"An unknown number of people are also unable to flee due to fighting and the closure of the main road leading north towards the town of Azaz in northwestern Syria," he said.

"The UN is deeply concerned that many civilians in these areas are at risk of attack," said the spokesman.

The UN resident coordinator for Syria, Yacoub El Hillo, called on all parties to the conflict to ensure the unhindered movement and protection of civilians trying to reach safety, as well as their access to life-saving assistance at their current locations or on their way to other destinations, he added.

The conflict has sent thousands more Syrians fleeing their homes near the Turkish frontier where more than 160,000 people are already sheltering, most of whom fled fighting earlier this year, UN officials said.

The Da'esh militants advanced in recent days into the opposition-held town of Mare'a.

On May 4, the United States and Russia have agreed to extend the fragile truce in Syria to the northern Aleppo city and its surrounding areas in an effort to de-escalate violence in the war-torn country.

Syrian government forces and the opposition have clashed in late April and early May in Aleppo, a major city in northern Syria, despite continued diplomatic efforts to restore the ceasefire agreement reached in February.

The Syrian government has blamed the rebels in Aleppo for violating the truce, while opposition activists accused Syrian warplanes of striking rebel-held areas in the eastern part of the city. Endit