Increased fighting in Aleppo "deeply concerning": UN

A United Nations spokesperson said Tuesday that an upsurge in violence in and around Syria's largest city of Aleppo has blocked the only road providing access to some 300,000 civilians living in eastern parts of the war-torn city.

"Since 7 July, the intensification of hostilities between Government of Syria forces and non-state armed groups has rendered the Castillo road impassable, the only access in and out of eastern Aleppo city," Alessandra Vellucci told reporters in a regular press briefing.

"Given the history of the tensions in the area, most people in eastern Aleppo city rely heavily on humanitarian assistance. Price increases have already been reported in eastern Aleppo city," she added.

Humanitarian actors are also concerned about reports of aerial bombardments and shelling targeting civilian locations in both western and eastern parts of the northern Syrian city, she continued.

The UN official urged all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid.

No date has been set for the resumption of intra-Syrian peace talks seeking to broker an end to the five-year conflict.

Though negotiations have been on hold since April, Vellucci reminded that the UN is striving to reach a political solution as soon as possible, with the target date of August 1 still in play. Enditem